Dear Supporters,
Thank you
for joining me on the incredible journey we just completed. It did not end the
way we had hoped, with the combination of a third candidate and high voter
turn-out in our historically Republican District just too much to
overcome. But even in defeat, we were victorious in a number of ways.
First, we
helped elect Barack Obama. In six of the seven counties that make up Ohio’s
second district, Obama won a larger percent of the vote than Kerry did in 2004.
By articulating a progressive, Democratic vision for our country, we helped
Obama win votes from people who had never voted for a Democrat before. Neither
Obama nor I won a majority in this district, but by minimizing McCain’s lead,
Obama was able to decisively win Ohio, and the nation.
We also
helped elect at least six new Democrats to the Senate and at least 19 new
Democrats to the House of Representatives. By mounting a strong challenge
against Jean Schmidt, we forced the Republican party to spend significant
amounts of their limited resources defending an incumbent who should have
cruised to reelection. This allowed other Democrat challengers across the
nation to pick up seats.
Here in
Southern Ohio, we helped local Democrats get elected, including judges, state
representatives, county commissioners, and others. Southern Ohio can be proud
of these public servants.
The
tireless efforts of the hundreds of volunteers are themselves victories also.
Each person who gave up their free time in order to talk to voters about a bold
vision for our country is proof of the ability of people to make change in this
world. Candidates may lose elections, but the work of volunteers is always a
win.
I also owe
a deep debt of gratitude to everyone – 9,885 of you – who contributed
financially to this campaign. Even as the economy collapsed, you dug deep and
donated, and that means so much to me.
I want to
congratulate my fellow candidates on their races. I look forward to working with those in
office to make the changes,
especially in health care, which our families need. I look
forward to working with those who will continue the fight for social and
economic justice from non-elected positions.
And I look forward to helping re-elect and elect those who run again.
As for me,
I will keep open my Wulsin for Congress campaign committee until all debt has
been paid. Lawson and I will take a long
vacation. And I will continue my work in
public health through SOTENI and my next job.
And to my
staff, who put your heart and soul into this campaign, thank you. You worked
behind the scenes, but it was never invisible to me.
Thank you,
Vic
PS: Yes, we do have campaign debt. Could you help one last time? Consider it a “tip” to the Obama win! Contribute here.
Victoria Wells Wulsin, MD, DrPH
8875 Spooky Ridge
Lane
Cincinnati, Ohio
45242
vwulsin@gmail.com