Like many of you, I am working through a series of emotions. Sadness. Shock. Disappointment. Loss. But I have to tell you, one trumps them all: Gratitude.
When we launched this campaign 18 mos ago (look at my kids!) we had no way of knowing the support we would find—not just in my hometown of Nyack but in Cold Spring, Peekskill, Pleasantville, Sleepy Hollow, Somers, N. Salem, Pawling, Chappaqua, Croton & more. And I never could have expected meeting hundreds of friends like you who fueled this people-powered campaign.
Just look what we accomplished: nearly $2.3M raised from more than 27K grassroots donors, 43% of which came from inside NY-17. Over 15K voters contacted over the phone and at their doors.
My opponents had national money and national backers. I had you. And what we achieved together is nothing short of remarkable.
We brought a sharp focus to issues that families in NY-17 face every day, along with real solutions: lowering costs at the pump, at the grocery and pharmacy; protecting the Hudson from profiteering polluters; restoring Trump’s cuts to Medicaid & SNAP; ending the gun violence epidemic in America’s schools & neighborhoods; and of course, protecting our immigrant neighbors from ICE.
We made a difference. This race would not have been the same without our campaign’s relentless pursuit of equity, justice, and transparency. While we came up short on Tuesday, I am confident the coalition we built will help Cait Conley defeat Mike Lawler. I will be forever grateful to those of you who put your faith in me and in my vision for our district and country.
While I am disappointed not to have the opportunity to serve you in Congress, I woke up on Wednesday morning a county legislator in the community I love. I will keep fighting for the values we share, with new allies ready to roll up their sleeves alongside me and deliver results that make a difference in people’s lives.
You heard me say many times that 95% of life is showing up. I’ll never forget the way you showed up for me. And I’ll never stop showing up for this community. This is by no means goodbye, just a heart-felt thank you, and I hope to see you again soon.
— Beth
