Well friends, this is tough. I won my re-election campaign, and I am incredibly honored to continue representing my constituents – and at the same time, we faced some immense losses, the impacts of which will only become fully clear over time.
The day after Election Day, I spent hours talking with my team about how we’re going to spend the next two years: Where we’ll need to stand up and fight, where we can find common ground with our Republican colleagues, and how we are going to keep trying to rebuild people’s trust in government.
When I’m faced with a problem, I jump straight into problem-solving mode.
But later that night, as the results and ramifications of the election came into focus, the reality of what we’re up against really hit me. And the one thing I really wanted to do was to be with my community.
I drove to La Mesa to spend the evening with the La Mesa-Foothills Democratic Club – one of the amazing grassroots groups that has spent the last two years (and more) organizing their friends and neighbors around the values and the people we care about.
The first thing I wanted to say to them – and that I really want to say to all of you, too – is thank you. Thank you for putting your time and energy and heart in fighting for what you believe in – for kindness, for empathy, for taking care of one another.
Despite the disappointing national results, San Diego County had some big, big wins, none of which would have been possible without on-the-ground organizing.
As we move forward, even in the face of uncertainty and fear, we need to stay together – to stay in community, to not isolate ourselves or turn inward.
The truth is, there are a lot of people who voted for Donald Trump who will be hurt by his administration and his policies.
If and when that time comes, there can be no “I told you so.” There will be no gloating. That’s not who we are.
The Democratic Party will have plenty of work to do in the coming months and years – and part of that must be doing everything we can to welcome back voters who are looking for solutions. We need to show them we care, and prove that we will fight for their families and to make their lives better. Win or lose, we care about people, and we don’t want to see anyone suffer no matter who they voted for.
As we fight for a more perfect union and to make our party stronger and more accessible, I am so grateful, as ever, to have you by my side.
Warmly,
Sara
