It's hard to believe it has been a week since the Primary Election, which has given some needed time to process the results. It certainly was not the outcome we had hoped for, and admittedly the results were both sad and surprising to many of us. The strength of our campaign was much stronger than in 2022 and our base of support more active and comprehensive throughout the entire district. We were having daily conversations with voters, and we would comment that it was hard to find a Tenney supporter. People in our district overwhelmingly wanted the same thing - conservative representation based on traditional Republican principles and conviction to stand for America First policies without selling out.

Unfortunately, what we learned is that lies and smears were ultimately more effective. Too many people didn't do the simple job of fact-checking the repeatedly debunked accusations and fear tactics. And in the end, Tenney won the same way she did last time - by deceiving the voters.

On one hand, it makes the 'what do we do next' question challenging. And yet the more time I have and the more I reflect, the answer is simple - we do what we have always done. We continue to stand for the truth and principles that made our nation great in every place we find ourselves. This race gave us the opportunity to do that on a Congressional level throughout our district. But we have these opportunities daily, whether great or small.

One of my favorite Founding Father quotes is from John Quincy Adams who said, "Duty is ours. Results are God's." It is our job to speak and live the truth, to stand for and uphold righteous values - in our own lives, in our communities, in our nation. God will use that for His purpose and in His time.

So what next? Get to know your neighbors. Talk about the issues impacting our communities. Take action where you can. Know your history. Know your Constitution. Be courageous. Though our society is gaslighting these things now, a time will come when others are ready to have open eyes and see the truth. We need to be ready and able to lead and point them back to what is true.

SIGNS - Our campaign signs will need to be taken down, specifically in public areas. If you see our signs on a roadside or street corner, please pull them. Feel free to hang on to the signs or, if you have a collection and want to return them to Mario, they can be dropped off at Geneva Granite in Geneva.

We don't know what the future holds - either the future of the campaign or future of the nation. But let's be resolved to continue to live out our citizenship the way our nation was designed and always stand for the principles of liberty.

It has been a tremendous blessing for me to be able to support a candidate who spoke the truth and refused to cede the moral high ground, even in the face of baseless slander. I am so grateful to Mario for making the sacrifice of running and giving us all the opportunity to support someone with true courage of conviction and integrity. It was one of the best votes I have had the privilege to cast.

It has also been a blessing and encouragement working with each one of you. While on a personal level, the results of this race were discouraging, it is knowing each of you and seeing your conviction in action that gives me hope that all is not lost. The small minority 'keen to set brushfires of freedom in the minds of men' is still there, and I have been honored to stand with you all in that cause. May God give us wisdom and courage as we move forward together in the great cause of liberty.