This is just a starting point!

Being in Congress seems like it sucks ass. A year from now it will be a beautiful spring day and you'll be doing something enjoyable and interested with people you care about, and not glad handing at a Raytheon happy hour surrounded by miserable people in DC and sweating yet another fundraising deadline

whether you want to is another matter. But regardless of where you finished, consultants and others are going to look at your fundraising numbers and the quality of the campaign you ran and see potential. Weirdly, the vote percentage is low on their list of indicators.

I know it's probably the last thing you want to think about right now. But you're young, have a good message, and I'm pretty sure the money you raised didn't come from sources Dem candidates in your neck of the woods count on.

So come out with a hearty endorsement of the guy who won the primary, make at least a nominal contribution to him, and put up a yard sign for him. Keep your options open. And hopefully IN-5 will flip. Reading that article, the incumbent sounds like a piece of work. Hopefully she'll get held to her 3-term promise.

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"It's our blood and bones and these whistles and phones against Miller's and Noem's dirty lies."

the good fight here. And for standing up and making your voice heard in these times.

Stand tall and proud today. You got off the sidelines. That's a helluva lot more than 99.99% of us keyboard cowboys. Bravo.

I'm sure it stings the morning after, but you have much to be proud of, and I hope you'll stay in the conversation.

to redirect our country from its awful trajectory. You ran a great campaign.

- No text -

And best wishes on the next step of your journey.

and thousands more will remember your name if you decide to do it again. Congrats!

regardless of the outcome, you are a winner!

And I know it is easy for me to say it - but you've started a journey and this is just the starting point - I think. You threw your hat in because you know you can make a difference, that knowledge or feeling didn't stop all of a sudden. I am not in your shoes to begin to understand the effort, energy and sacrifice that was invested, but I know you now have new information on how to forge a path to make that difference. As others suggested, supporting the party and continuing on in a different form is a great way to the next election!

All the best from CR.

it did when I didn't get through the primary in my state legislative race, but you have a lot to show for it. Overcoming name recognition issues in a crowded primary is a tough deal. Democracy only works if good people like you step up. Well done.

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"It's our blood and bones and these whistles and phones against Miller's and Noem's dirty lies."

I know you got a ton out of getting out of your comfort zone and meeting all sorts of new people from all walks of life. Not many get to do that! Your message was great and I know it resonated with everyone you met. And to see someone step up in this critical crisis and actually do something is truly inspirational.

You'd have never known any of this unless you tried, and if you decide to run again in the future this experience will be invaluable.

You put your money, time and effort into making IN a better place.

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I wanted to wake up today and add more coastal elite money to the war chest for the general. And to watch you go through the long summer. I think you have a great story but also great plans for the future. You're true to yourself and your ideals and we need more like you.

For the rest of the week, may I suggest turning off the TV and enjoying family and a drink or three (or if you've given up drinking, then ice cream). Then re-engage when you're ready and help your party win the seat.

With the impression you made - in ideas, albeit not in votes - you could well be a difference-maker still

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The 2007 ND-UCLA game was a once in a lifetime experience, I hope

Most talk. Few "do".

You sacrificed personally for an ideal. In that arena there is no loss. Only honor!

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"F--- everyone who isn't us."
#Team128

to make a difference. I'm sure there's a sense of futility in this moment, but great things come from stories just like yours, and no one will ever know if it's going to work unless you actually shoot your shot. I find it inspirational, and I suspect that your campaign has had an impact in your community on a grass-roots level, even if it might be difficult to see right now.

You have more name recognition now than you did 4 months ago.

Here's to next time.

I hate that the race did not work out in your favor - you have a compelling story. I wish I lived in your district and could have cast a vote in your favor.

It's probably little consolation at this point, but you should hold your head up high. It takes stones to stand up for what you believe in. You invested time and effort into making your community / state / nation a better place. At some point during your campaign (knocking on doors, making a phone call, or even on this board), someone will be inspired by your efforts and decide to get involved themselves. If you ever find yourself in Nashville with some spare time, let me know and I'll buy you a beer for making this effort.

Once the dust settles and you can step back a bit, I hope that you view the experience positively. And maybe even run again...

Took guts to jump into that race!

Hopefully you'll keep trying.