Friend,

Today is the day!

As I headed to my polling location in Lansing this morning, I reflected on all we have been through the past few years. No matter the outcome of tonight, representing Michigan’s 8th district has been the greatest honor of my life, and it has been a privilege to get to know so many wonderful people while running for the new 7th.

I’ve been able to do this because so many people like you have been so generous with their time and donations and support. I am so proud of the campaign you helped us build (and I want you to be involved in our election night watch party live-stream, which you can access here). 

It’s no secret that our country is going through something right now. As I look back at the past year, the prevailing theme of this campaign can be summed up in a conversation I had with Jon Meacham, historian and author of the book “Soul of America.” When we spoke over the summer, I asked him to give me some historical context that puts the tough times our country is going through into perspective, to tell me that we’ve been through this before, and that it’s not as bad as it seems.

In this country’s darkest times – the Civil War, the Great Depression, the McCarthy era, the civil rights movement, the Vietnam war – there were always two things that pulled us out of it. Engaged citizens and principled leaders. 

I’m given hope by people like you and all of the people I’ve met in the new 7th who have gotten up off the sidelines. The folks who have ran for state office, local office, and school board. The people that passionately advocate for the issues that impact their communities. And, the folks in mid-Michigan’s many conservative areas who may not be the most outspoken, but who demonstrate an act of courage each day just by showing up and doing what they can.

None of us wanted to live through a moment of political instability like this, but it is our responsibility to meet this moment. I thank you for being an engaged citizen. My hope is that when I wake up in the morning, I get to be that principled leader Michigan’s new 7th district deserves.