Friend,

While last night's results in Virginia and New Jersey are disheartening, I am not deterred, and you should not be either. Let me take a moment and explain why I am ready to redouble my efforts.

Many will have their thoughts on why we lost Virginia and what it means for 2022 and beyond. Fingers will be pointed. Blame will be laid. Polls will be analyzed, and analyzed some more and analyzed even more. But for me it comes down to 2 simple things: delivery and message. And let’s be honest here – Democrats are struggling with both.

Though his specter still looms large, not every election is about Donald Trump. It is clear to me that Democrats need a message that actually resonates with voters. It's our job to meet them where they are and address their concerns. We have failed to do so thus far in 2021. 

We need to get back to promoting what makes us Democrats, especially in places like the South where many Democrats face an uphill battle on the strength of the D by their names alone. Promoting the dignity of work. Equal pay for equal work. Supporting those who need it most – low income families, parents, those in rural areas without access to good quality health care or broadband. Sure we often say it, but it is clear the message is not reaching those who we want to hear it.

We have a lot to work with. The history of our party is delivering for the American people. Our party brought electricity to the most rural parts of the country with the TVA. We created Medicare and Medicaid. Social Security. The list goes on.

And today we are working to promote equality. Making sure every voice is heard. We are on the cusp of passing an infrastructure package that helps millions of Americans in the wake of a deadly pandemic we still have not defeated. We are also on the cusp of historic legislation that will provide families with two free years of pre-school and affordable quality care for our seniors. Tax cuts for middle class families. It is a transformative investment in Americans and we should not run from this. We should run on it. 

But we have to deliver on it first!

We as Democrats have the opportunity to deliver for the American people. I still believe we must continue to find common ground. We can't have democracy without it. And yes, if Donald Trump and those who enable him continue to turn their backs on democracy, we must work together as a pro-democracy coalition to defeat it.

But all of this gets us back to what we must accomplish in this democracy. It is more than beating Trump. It is about delivering real results for the American people and communicating these results to voters.

This is what I am committed to more than ever before. Helping our party and our candidates who share these values from one end of this great country to another. Please join me in this effort.

— Doug