Last night, I called Senator Daines to congratulate him on his victory.

Today, I wanted to make sure you heard this directly from me: thank you for everything.

Together we built an incredible grassroots campaign unlike anything in Montana's history. Our hardworking staff, amazing volunteers, and grassroots supporters worked so hard for the last nine months to bring people together around our common interests. We gave it everything we had.

I ran for office twelve years ago with one goal in mind: to make a meaningful difference in people's lives. I have been so pleased with how we have been able to bring people together in Montana -- even when we don't always agree -- to improve the lives of our families and our communities.

Montana has been a gift to me, and given me more than I could ever give back. I have been so grateful to have served as Montana's Governor and Attorney General. I am grateful for the trust Montanans have placed in me over the last twelve years.

I am not naive, but I am sufficiently idealistic enough to believe that Washington could work a lot better. I still do today.

I hope you will stay in the fight in the days, weeks and years to come. There is so much work to be done, and our country and our state need you to stay in the fight and keep working to make this a better place for all of us.

All my gratitude,

-- Steve