John,

I am deeply disappointed that we did not win in Texas.

Despite record turnout and an extraordinary effort on the part of our
volunteers, Texas voters chose Donald Trump and Republican incumbents at
nearly every place on the ballot.

For whatever it’s worth, it looks to be part of a larger, national trend.
No matter the devastation wrought by this administration — hundreds of
thousands dead from Covid and tens of millions out of work — our fellow
Americans in state after state have voted to reduce the Democrats’
majority in the U.S. House, to keep control of the Senate in Republican
hands and to deliver an uncomfortably close Presidential race.

As we continue to follow the national results, I wanted to leave you with
a look at the work we’ve accomplished this year. It may offer only cold
comfort in the wake of these losses, but these achievements are worth
keeping in mind as we begin to think about the work that lies ahead.

Over the course of this year Powered by People's volunteers and supporters
like you are responsible for the following:

* We made over 76 million contact attempts to Texas voters (57.8 million
texts and 18.3 million calls);

* We helped register nearly 200,000 likely-Democrat Texas voters;

* During the beginning of the pandemic, before the CARES Act was passed
by Congress, we filled over 17,000 food bank shift hours across Texas;

* We brought in more than 10,000 volunteers to call, text or knock on
the doors of Texas voters;

* We helped raise $2,034,165 for Democratic candidates and organizers in
Texas (in addition to what we raised to run Powered by People);

And this one doesn’t have a measurable number to it, but I know it to be
true: we gave it our best and we gave it our all.

I can’t help but imagine what we could have done if we were not restrained
by the pandemic from knocking on doors and meeting voters at their homes,
in their communities, across the state.

We’ve built a powerful grassroots volunteer organization and I’m hopeful
that what we’ve learned this past year can be put to use in winning
elections in future years. Remember, this state last voted for the
Democratic nominee in 1976; last sent a Democrat to the Senate in 1988;
last elected any Democrat statewide in 1994. We’re bound to get knocked
down a few times (maybe a lot of times) before we finally win. The
question for you, for me, for all of us, is: are you willing to get up
again?

As awful as the Texas results are, as hard as it is right now, we must
move forward and try again. Because, what’s the alternative? Can you
accept conceding the future of this state to permanent GOP and Trumpist
control? There’s much to learn from this election. Many people to whom we
must humbly listen, to better understand what’s happened and what we can
do better. But let’s commit ourselves now to doing whatever it takes when
we get back up and get back after it.

I was watching the returns last night, and, exhausted from the day and
dispirited from the results, I walked upstairs early, got in bed and
passed out for 9 hours. I haven’t slept more than 5 hours straight in
months. But I think my body and my mind knew that it was over, we’d done
all we could, we pushed as hard we knew how, we left it all on the field
and it was time to acknowledge there was no more that could be done for
this election.

Now, like you, I’m watching the remaining states declare their winners for
President as we approach a clear victor in the Electoral College. I remain
ready to do whatever I can in the coming days for our democracy.

But for now, I am overcome by my deep gratitude for you and this team. I
can’t tell you how inspired I am by all who contributed to the work,
knowing the sacrifice entailed and the willing suspension of cynicism and
fatigue that is required to believe in Texas. It leaves me feeling hopeful
still, and only strengthens my dedication to Texas, to this team and to
the work of helping this state fulfill its potential and promise. I hope
to once again have the chance to do that work with you.

With love and gratitude,

Beto

 


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