No, Thank You, Beto…
When a candidate in a race reaches the unfortunate end of dropping out, it truly feels like a punch in the gut: you struggle to make sense of the true reality and grieve for what could have been. Today, with the end of one of the most honest and relentless campaigns, that truth hits harder than most. I’ve been following Beto since that viral video exploded onto the web, where his defense of the NFL Protests showcased just how far sticking to one's beliefs and convictions could go, even in a Republican stronghold of Texas. Bit by bit, county by county, Beto soon closed the gap in a race for the ages, inspiring everyone, regardless of partisan affiliation, race, or age, that this democracy could work for all of us. However, this was still Texas, after all, a state that hadn’t elected a Democrat statewide in decades, and another unfortunate, yet foretelling event took place. On November 6th, a candidate lost, but a political superstar was born in its place.

I’m not too big on “everything happens for a reason,” but Beto’s close defeat in the Texas Senate race meant that even bigger things could happen. After the midterms, Beto was my number one pick for the Democratic Primary, hopeful that the inspiring force and fundamental campaign blueprint he had concocted would carry the day and systematically eliminate any chance of re-election for Donald Trump in 2020. My first donation to any political candidate was Beto, first when the DraftBeto PAC had begun to take shape, and second when he first announced his candidacy alongside his amazing wife Amy. In that announcement, Beto was Beto, showcasing an enormous aura of charisma, speaking to the hallmark of his campaign, that this was a campaign for everyone, in a time when that was most critical. And thus began the campaign that we know and cherished from the outset, full of potential, defined not by our fears, but by our ambitions. Plan after plan, event after event, Beto again showcased how stellar of a candidate and workaholic that he was, even when the odds were stacked against him. Even though the outcome was unwanted, Beto proved himself. I can never repay that sense of belonging and pride that I had in his campaign and the power and voice that he gave us all.

Sadly, that campaign has ended. We volunteers and donors will grieve for the outstanding potential of what could have been and must look to the future. There is still an election to win, and a message to be sent to all Americans, that we will prevail in this most trying of times, prevail over hatred and racism, prevail over the gun lobby and its enablers, and prevail over a system that disenfranchises Americans from all walks of life. It's up to us to carry on the energy of Beto’s campaign in the same thunderous and relentless spirit that he himself embodied.

Now, I’d like to sincerely thank Beto for the tireless energy that he has invested not only in his campaign but in us as Americans. His vision for a better America was born out of experience, creativity, and an unyielding sense of compassion the likes of which haven’t been seen in years. He brought people together from all walks of life, Democrats and Republicans, men and women, seniors and youth, and most of all, Americans. So to you Beto, I say keep your head held high, you brought inspiration and warmth to America in troubling times, you gave those who felt lost and dismayed hope by which to guide them, you showcased to America, that we aren’t lost, that our potential and our destiny still remain bright. I wish you a safe return to El Paso and to your family. They are undoubtedly proud of you, as are we, your unwavering supporters. Thank you for your stalwart sense of duty and commitment to our country.
Hasta que nos encontremos de nuevo…
-Brian from Illinois
