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Up top is a newly installed memorial at Liberty House, a recovery home for homeless veterans recovering from addiction. It's two blocks from my home and we're proud to have this wonderful place in our neighborhood. I thought it appropriate to have it headline this newsletter this Veterans Day.
As I think about this campaign, I've included selfies with my two little kids. After all, it's for the next generation that many of us get involved. Campaigns can be grueling but I have some great memories from having my kids on the campaign trail with me and I wanted to share these snapshots with you to share what drives me.
Yes, we were "out manned and out gunned" in this race from the beginning, up against a Democrat icon in a solidly blue district. The "Red Wave" gave us all hope until it didn't arrive. In Senate District 20, Gov. Sununu was the only Republican to win and it was much closer than expected. Rep. Pappas, Sen. Hassan, my opponent Sen. D'Allesandro and Executive Council candidate Kevin Cavanaugh all got more votes than did Gov. Sununu in this district.
It seems only right to congratulate Sen. D'Allesandro on his victory. While he did give the mailman a hernia, he kept it to the issues; no mudslinging, no personal attacks. He ran an honorable campaign and I thank him for it.
That we did better than all but two of the Republicans on the ballot in the district is a testimony to the hard work of our many volunteers and the donors who made it possible to put the materials we needed in their hands and in the mail. At the risk of missing someone (it's almost a given, isn't it?) I want to share the names of our many volunteers with you that they might be recognized and thanked for their hard work.
Helping with signs: Colin, Chris, Jack, Chau and Brian (Not for nothing, it took me over 8 hours to drive the more than 114 miles needed to take down all the signs that were put up. That's testimony to how many we had and I thank all for the exposure!)
Dropping Lit on Doors: Nancy, Joseph, Dave, Al, George, Jennifer, Amelie, Tara, Ken, Lionel, Brian, Colin, James, Woody, Mike, Lisa, Sheila and Lucia
Riding shotgun with me at events: Earl, Emeric and Amelie
Phones: Mike
Mailing to absentee voters: Claudette, James, George and Patrice
Poll Standing: Mom, Don, Robin, Lionel, Veronica, Jamie, Michelle, Brittany, Russ, Andre, David, George, Robert, Jay, Claire, Diane (and her husband whose name I'm blanking on...), Earl, Greg, Joe, Lucia, Rick, German, Jack and...darn it...
I do want to thank Steve, Pam, Elliot and MacKenzie from the NH GOP. "Party folks" often get knocked after campaigns have come and gone. They worked hard, helped me when asked and followed through on what they promised. For their assistance, I am grateful. I'd also like to thank senators Jeb Bradley and Regina Birdsell for their wise counsel and assistance over the course of the campaign, along with Periklis for the same. To the NH GOP Senate PAC, I say thank you for pleasantly surprising me with advertising during the final week or so of the campaign.
I also want to thank Dave, Joy, Jay and Emily for their unbelievable work lining up our mailers. Crunch time hit and they got it done and I can't thank them enough.
To Earl Rinker, my chairman and treasurer, and most importantly, my good friend, I owe an unplayable debt. You pushed me hard and gave me good guidance. You called in favors and were relentless in gaining support for this campaign. I am grateful. Thank you!
Finally, to my wife and kids, all I can say is thank you and it's not enough. Campaigns are tough on families but you made this race possible. Thanks for being there when I needed you and for picking up the slack at home as I knocked on doors, attended events and managed the campaign over these last 5 months. Without you, this isn't possible and I know it. I especially liked sharing adventures on the campaign trail with Emeric, who attended many an event with me, and Amelie who came with me on Election Day to visit the polls and do our two person sign waves around the district. What fun!
My thanks to you for reading these emails, sharing their content and responding to their calls for help over this campaign. I am grateful. Rest assured, this is good bye for now but not farewell. Know that you will be in my thoughts nd prayers always.
~Rich
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