Thank you for standing with me.

Dear JOHN,

It's clear the primary results are not close to what we were hoping for.

I'm grateful for all of the generous time, effort, and resources that so many people contributed to our campaign. Earning your support has meant so much and I'm sorry and disappointed that we didn't do better.

I'm grateful for my family's support and patience. Holly worked extra hard to keep our kids' lives as normal as possible and support me through it all, on top of working her regular full-time job as a psychologist. I couldn't have competed without that and my kids' understanding.

My kids have been incredible campaign partners in this effort. Not yet ten years old and they each communicated with thousands of voters and learned so much. What could have been incredibly disruptive and distancing was instead a bonding experience. They may be a little jaded (especially about the harsh reality of money in politics) but I'm grateful they had a positive experience and were able to meet so many wonderful people (on both sides of the aisle) across these five counties. After polls closed Tuesday, my 9-year-old told me that this was the best experience of his life.
I truly enjoyed having conversations with thousands of voters, all across the District. So many people remarked that it was the first time a candidate knocked on their door or personally called. Some didn't believe it was actually me calling and thought I was a recording! I'm grateful to those that took the time to share their personal challenges and hopes for improving our communities, state, and country.

We all know politics can be a dirty sport and this experience has been very enlightening. I've been inspired by some of the candidates I met on the campaign trail. I'm grateful for their support and encouragement and I'm ready to roll up my sleeves to help them win. That said, we need better candidates to run for many positions. If we don't try, we'll never win.

I knew this wasn't going to be an easy race. Our campaign stood for ideals that we'll continue to advance - hopefully together. I will continue to advocate for people, as I have for the last 25 years.

I will also remain engaged in our region. As a long-time advocate, I didn’t need an elected office to influence policy and hold our leaders accountable. I look forward to working with you to improve MD-6, our state, and country.

Given the primary results, I'm not sure there's one specific thing that, had we done differently, would have resulted in a much more favorable outcome.

That said, I'll make a few points:
* Money in politics. Nearly everyone says they dislike it but few vote against it.

* In April, nearly three months of our campaign's efforts were lost when a judge decided to strike December's district map. April's new map removed thousands of voters that I’d spent months knocking on doors and calling. Drawing more fair and representative districts is important. Redrawing the lines just a few months before a primary is like moving the bases in the 5th inning. Grassroots campaigns across the state, arguably better for our Democracy and representative government, were hit hard.

* Local media is essential. Local papers are struggling everywhere and there are major gaps in local reporting across MD-6. This deficit allows power to go unchecked and it prevents people from being informed. Just days before the primary, some voters were still confused about which Congressional district they were in. We spent much of the last few months educating voters previously in the 8th about their move to the 6th.

* Fake news: Many voters don't know what to believe. Some didn't believe the factual information about my opponent's donations to Abbott, Paxton, and others. Others, including a state delegate I met on Tuesday, didn't believe that my opponent was still leading his multi-billion dollar business while serving in Congress.

* Youth civic engagement is essential. We complain our Democracy is at risk-- and it is. But our young people can save it if they are respected, supported, and engaged. Bring your kids to vote. Encourage them to get involved and volunteer to advance an issue they're passionate about or a candidate they like. Let them listen to NPR and read the newspaper. The only way we'll ever confront and challenge the harsh realities of the world is if we're informed and engaged.

* I've said this all along, and I'll say it again: There are significant national implications for keeping this seat Blue and we should do what we can to prevent Neil Parrott from representing MD-6.

I value our relationship and won't share your email address with others. Please stay in touch with me. There's more work to do.

Best ways to reach me:
[email protected]
phone/SMS: 301-578-5888

Thank you again.

Ben

PS: If you have a yard sign, please don’t throw it away. I’d like to keep as many as I can.

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