Steven Olikara for U.S. Senate logo and headshot of Steven with link:
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Dear John,

From the bottom of my heart, thank you. I couldn’t be more grateful to our volunteers, staff, supporters, and families for helping us beat the odds at so many points along this journey.

The race started last year with 13 candidates. In June, we were 1 of 8 campaigns to qualify for the ballot, making history as the first South Asian candidacy for the U.S. Senate in Wisconsin. In July, we were 1 of 5 campaigns to get into the televised debate, after which analysts declared us the winner. This week, we earned our spot in the final 2 major candidacies on Election Day.

I’m proud that we lit a spark in people – a belief that a different way in politics is possible. Instead of running on consultant-fed talking points, we started our campaign with a Dignity Tour to hear from Wisconsinites closest to the issues. We talked about the root causes of inaction and political dysfunction. That’s why we premised our campaign on: changing the system, helping people find our common humanity across lines of division, and electing public leaders with the integrity, compassion, and courage to do what's right, not what's politically expedient.


Photo of large group of people at Olikara election night party.


When I voted on Election Day, I didn’t just see my name on the ballot. I saw the movement we have grown across Wisconsin and our nation. I saw the countless communities that welcomed us into their homes and hearts, from Howard to Neillsville, Benton to Madison, Readstown to New Berlin, Milwaukee to Kenosha. Thank you for your generosity and for believing in our mission.

I also want to thank and congratulate my friend Mandela Barnes on becoming the Democratic nominee. We had the opportunity to speak on election night, and I look forward to working with him to reform our political system and incentivize Congress to work for all Wisconsinites.


Photo of Steven giving a high five to a child on a train.


Our biggest competition was never the other primary contenders – it has always been a multi-billion dollar political industry that is highly invested in protecting the status quo. We beat this system by building the diverse, unlikely coalition of Democrats, Republicans, and Independents required to create real change and save our democracy. We beat the system by giving people something to vote FOR, not just against. We beat the system by activating new voices and voters to get involved in our political process.

I'm proud that we have successfully united politically homeless and disaffected voters which we call the Exhausted Majority. Wisconsinites shared in the last few weeks that ours is the first campaign that they have been excited to vote for in over a decade, or in some cases, the first one ever. In the words of a young supporter, our campaign isn’t changed by politics. We change politics.

Bobby Kennedy once described that when each of us stands up for an ideal, we set forth a ripple of hope that becomes an unstoppable current. That’s what we have accomplished in this campaign. And we’re just getting started.

With gratitude,
Steven

Photo of Steven waving.

Paid for by Olikara for Senate.
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Olikara for Senate
P.O. Box 510216
Milwaukee, WI 53203
United States
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