Dear Team,
Words cannot adequately express my sincere and profound thanks for your support and encouragement over these past few months. While we didn't win, we accomplished the impossible. Because of you I went from a no-name, no-chance, never-ran-for-anything candidate to almost pulling this off. We got the closest a Democrat has EVER got in this district during an open election.
We won Corning, Hornell, Elmira, and 3 wards in Bath -- all Republican strongholds! We barely lost Republican Schuyler, Yates, and Steuben counties! I'm beyond proud and you should be too. In a year dubbed the "Republican Tsunami" we raised over $450,000 in 6 months on our own, won 11 out of 11 debates, and opened and manned seven offices in the district the size of Connecticut. If that isn't enough, consider the following:
John Callahan ran for Congress against Charlie Dent in Pennsylvania. Callahan is the current mayor of Bethlehem, PA. Callahan had the top campaign manager in the country. He had the full backing of the DCCC and was considered their top challenger race nationally. Together, they raised over $2 million dollars. They ran numerous commercials and put out tens of thousands of yard signs. Bill Clinton held two in-district fundraisers on his behalf. And despite all of this, Callahan lost to Dent 55-42.
We lost 56-44 and had none of Callahan's resources in a district's that had around 45% of registered voters turnout, and in which the Republicans hold an 11-point (or 50,000) voter advantage. We topped the top, we bested the best.
Hold your heads high, I know I am.
So what's next?
A lot of folks have asked me in recent days to run again. 2012 is a new year. Democrats might actually vote this time around. I won't have to run against Massa, Healthcare, or Pelosi. The DCCC might notice that we nearly pulled this off without their support (imagine if they had actually bothered...) and want to help this time around. I'm taking all of this into consideration and mulling my over my options.
In the short term, I have a lot of Army Reserve training I need to make up -- which will take up the better part of a few weeks. After that, Precila and I plan to marry sometime this spring and we're interested in starting our own Clean Energy Company. If anyone knows any venture capitalists or anyone else who wants to be involved, please reply to this email.
As for another run, I'm not saying no and I'm not saying yes. It all depends on party support, redistricting, life, etc...I'm considering all options.
Regardless of what happens in the future, thank you for showing up -- together we made history. I'm going to keep this email ( mattzeller@zellerforcongess.com ) for all future correspondence. Whatever happens, please stay involved in politics. Democracy is only as strong as we make it -- i.e. we get out of our government what we put into it. Please continue to be involved, vet your leaders, and stay informed -- its our civic duty.
During the war I had the pleasure of serving with a band of heroes -- men with whom I share an unspeakable bond. To those who got involved, please know that I consider our bond just as strong.
Till next time, I wish you the very best.
One Team, One Fight!
-Cheers,
Matt