Dear Lucas,
Thank you.
To everyone who supported our campaign with your time, talent and generous contributions, I don't have to tell you this was a hard-fought race on both sides. But I'm incredibly proud of the campaign we ran.
This was never about keeping my job. For me, it was always about fighting for what's fair.
And while things didn't turn out like we'd hoped, I'm proud of my record, and everything we achieved over the past two years:
- Creating 3 million jobs and preventing another Great Depression.
- Protecting consumers and our economy from risky Wall Street investment schemes.
- Making college more affordable for millions of students.
- Passing important legislation to protect our environment from reckless oil spills.
- And enacting historic reform of our broken health care system.
I have no regrets. While the other side is celebrating today, I'll sleep just fine tonight knowing I did everything in my power to put people back to work and get our economy back on track - and you should too.
As Sen. Ted Kennedy said in 1980 - "For me, a few hours ago, this campaign came to an end. For all those whose cares have been our concern, the work goes on, the cause endures, the hope still lives, and the dream shall never die."
I have been humbled by your hard work and dedication. While I am not yet sure what will be the next step in my career of public service, I hope our lives will intersect and that there are opportunities for us to again fight together.
Sincerely,
Mark Schauer
Member of Congress
Michigan, District 7