Dear John,
First, thank you for supporting our candidates and the Democratic Party this election season! Our collective actions add up and make a big difference, from simply putting up a lawn sign or making a small donation to the big commitment of managing a campaign or running for office. THANK YOU!
It's important for voters to have choices, and we ran slates of candidates across the county, even in some deep red towns. I am so grateful to everyone who stepped up and challenged Republicans. And, I am especially proud of newcomer candidates who were willing to participate in League of Women Voters debates, when their incumbent opponents refused!
We saw some exciting outcomes yesterday. At the local level, we picked up four new seats and I am thrilled that our incumbents won re-election!! We now hold every seat in Chatham Township and Mountain Lakes!
In Morris Plains, the candidates won overwhelmingly, flipping the council from Republican to Democrat! And, we may see more success in the coming days. In Boonton, the Ward 1 seat race is very tight, at a 13 vote-difference, with Vote by Mail and Provisional ballots still to be counted.
Our county candidates did not prevail. However, they worked really hard to talk with voters across the 39 municipalities at Town Hall sessions; local events; meet-and-greets; and walking neighborhoods to knock on doors. They highlighted issues that matter to voters: traffic, over-development, senior services and flooding. I am very proud of their campaign and efforts!
Congratulations to Congresswoman Mikie Sherrill (CD-11) on winning for the fourth time, and Andy Kim, elected to become our next U.S. Senator!
Sadly, despite the enormous amount of volunteer work that went into supporting Sue Altman, it did not go her way. Sue is an incredibly fierce and thoughtful leader who poured herself into this campaign. It was an honor to get to know Sue and introduce her at events. Sue was always upbeat, enthusiastic and happy to be in the room, in a backyard or driveway! She did everything possible to win, reaching out to Republican and Unaffiliated voters in a series of town hall events. Her loss is crushing.
Now, let’s address the elephant in the room. The presidential race outcome has left us in disbelief, disappointment and, maybe even disillusioned. We were shocked in 2016. It’s even more shocking now since voters knew a lot more about the former president.
Enough about him.
As we process the outcome and envision the next four years with dread, please take care of yourself. If you need a respite from politics and the news, take it. Check in on family and friends who are feeling upset and vulnerable.
It’s a beautiful day. Go outside for a walk, or just to sit.
Take some time, and then I hope when the sadness and shock wear off that you stay involved and advocate for the values we share. I hope that you continue to work to make the future a brighter one for the next generation.
Together, we will find joy in a renewed sense of shared purpose!
