Dear Volunteers; Contributors; Yard Sign Displayers; and all around Supporters:

What a time! Naturally, I almost can't put into words how happy I am for our new President, our new era, and our new "Blue" status as a State at the federal level (5 out of 7 Congressional seats and BOTH Senate seats!).

In terms of "how I'm doing":

• I have taken some time to kick my post-election exhaustion/let-down.
• I have hugged my family, cuddled my daughter's foster kittens, and checked in with my husband (hadn't seen him in a while - just my campaign manager).
• I have shed a few tears, scratched my head, and taken several hot baths.

As the Dixie Chicks say: "it's so hard when it doesn't come easy". I really wanted to represent you in our State Legislature. I am sorry I couldn't quite get your progressive voices there. However, I am feeling VERY happy about one thing -

All of you:

I am so grateful to all of you: the people who walked with me, the people who wrote countless post cards, the people who made countless phone calls; the people who wrote checks of all amounts, the people who woke up at the crack of dawn to wave signs in traffic, the people who got kicked off of election sites and kept finding ways to keep me visible (even using flashlights after dark!); and the people who did all of the above. You ARE the House District and you WILL be represented if you don't give up! You are all amazing. The talent came out of the woodwork. Someone will bring a progressive voice down to the legislature if the momentum doesn't stop. As Hillary so eloquently pointed out - ask yourself why you worked so hard to help my campaign this year (many of you helped in previous years, but we had unprecedented support this year). I charge all of us to continue this involvement and enthusiasm and bring it right into the next election to help the next progressive candidate take this seat in 2010. It can be won!


Finally - I must say something VERY important.
I played the role of the candidate the last 3 cycles (2004, 2006, and 2008). I chose to do it because of passion I felt to bring change to State policy. I got to make the speeches, I got to think of my ideal society and the Bills I would try to bring forth, I got to go to the events, and I often got the credit for "running such a strong campaign" because my name was on it.
There are people who were behind the scenes and I would never have made the gains in the quest for this seat without them. To begin, the man who worked very hard on my website - Eric Jorgensen. My steering committee this season met every week beginning October 2007 contributing time, talent, and checks. Adam Graber (the "closer" most of you heard from him helping to close for contributions or volunteer commitments), Tom Schomburg (my volunteer coordinator, 2nd Vice Chair of the House District - at which he put in countless hours, and morale booster), Mike Lutz (one of my strategists, HUGE contributor, and co creator of the best Campaign plans ever - he was part of my team in all 3 campaigns), and Mike Hamrick (your illustrious County Chair and my fantastic treasurer for 2006 and 2008 - a HUGE job helped by his wife Eliza who was not only Mike's right arm, but hosted our steering committee meetings - not to mention walking every week!).

Now - without these three people, I never could have done this.........
Maryellen Wolf: your House District Chair who has put together a structure envied by other House Districts in the biggest House District in the State. On top of all the work she did in that arena, she was my marketing director on all 3 campaigns. She is responsible for the beautiful work on most of my mail pieces as well as the very visible bus benches.

Laura Embleton: as her daughter puts it - Laura did everything. She's done it for all 3 campaigns. Her official title was Field Director. Laura and I have a similar passion for policy. She knows more than anyone I know about the State of Colorado and has taught me through her own knowledge (as well as her amazing program that I took and strongly endorse - Colorado Institute for Leadership Training - CILT - check out their website). Laura created the ever-popular "Mollie-Oke". She arranged house parties, and all fund-raising events. She navigated the Voter Access Network (VAN) and was touted by downtown leadership as one of the best VAN navigators in the State. She created the lists we used on every walk. She was connected at the hip with me and my campaign manager.....

Jim Cullom: Hard to say enough about Jim. I am always the envy of other candidates having "such a supportive husband". Jim was the first person to hit me in the arm and say "go for it!". Jim's commitment to getting me across the line was overwhelming. He certainly gets "husband of the year", but his talent needs to be recognized. His ability to inspire others, his creativity, and his sense of political strategy (and sense of humor) made him a very talented campaign manager. Jim managed my campaign in all 3 cycles. Jim is my rock and my biggest cheerleader. He knows me better than anyone and he knows how to bring out the best in me.

Thank you for giving me the time to thank these people. They are as close to me as my own family. There are countless others who also did so much both this year and past years. I can only hope that they know who they are and they feel thanked. I can't help but feel that no matter how much I thank all of you - it is never quite enough to tell you how profound it has been and how it has changed me - to have your support. This has been the best experience of my life.
Thank you.