This isn't the email I hoped to write today, folks.

But first, let me just say how grateful I am for your support. Serving my community and defending our principles in Congress is the honor of a lifetime, and I can’t tell you how grateful I am that you’ve entrusted me to continue this important work.

Thank you to those who participated in this great American experiment and cast a vote in this election; to the volunteers who knocked on doors, made phone calls, and worked hard to earn every vote; and of course, to my wife Kara and my daughter Audrey for their sacrifices and support.

I first ran for Congress back in 2018 because I know there’s an awful lot more that unites us than divides us. I still believe the majority of us share a fundamental set of values: a woman's right to control her own body; the principles of humanity, science, and democracy; a commitment to leaving behind a better world for our children than the one we inherited.

In the 119th Congress, I will remain committed to making our country safer, more prosperous, and more free. My colleagues and I will fight tooth and nail to protect President Biden’s historic progress on climate, infrastructure, free and fair elections, affordable healthcare, Medicare and Social Security, and an opportunity economy that works for all of us.

We'll also do everything in our power to stop a national abortion ban from reaching Donald Trump’s desk.

The next four years will be an uphill battle for those of us who still believe in democracy and the rule of law; in the founders’ vision for a free, equitable, tolerant society. But we ought to remember the millions of fellow Americans who, over our nearly 250 years as an independent nation, have fought and died to ensure the American Experiment lived on. We must follow their example and meet this moment with courage and determination.

Our opponents want us to give up hope. They'd love it if we lost faith in a better future. A demoralized opposition will make their job much easier.

But today, in spite of everything, I remain hopeful about our future. And it’s you – the remarkably decent people of the 6th District – who fuel that hope.

Our hope is our power; our lifesaver in these stormy waters. Hope won’t make the battle ahead easy, but it will remind us why we're in the fight.

So I urge you, friends, do not give in to despair. Do not lose sight of the fact that we are one people – the American people – bound by a set of fundamental principles. 

In the immortal words of Dr. King: “The arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends toward justice.”

We may have lost this battle, but we will win the war.

So let’s take a breath, celebrate keeping Illinois’ 6th Congressional District blue, and get some much-needed R&R with the people we love. Tomorrow, we’re going to roll up our sleeves and get back to work.

Thank you for everything. We'll get through this together.

Talk soon,
Sean Casten