Dear friends, family, and neighbors,
Congratulations go to Kelda Helen Roys for winning the Democratic primary. We look forward to seeing the good things she will work on.
Despite a tremendous grassroots campaign we did not achieve the victory that we sought in the democratic primary to replace retiring State Representative Dave Travis. When the dust settled and the final votes were counted we took a close second.
We ran a smart, positive campaign that accounted for everything we could control, unfortunately the cards were stacked against us. Despite the disadvantage that the composition of this large primary field created, our hard work, innovation, and determination nearly overcame the odds.
An interesting note is that we captured more votes than we anticipated needing to win, but a bigger turnout and underperformance by some of the other candidates left two of us at the top and my vote total was slightly less.
When I first contemplated campaigning to work for the people of the 81st district, I knew that I would put my heart and soul into the job. However, I had no idea that so many of my friends and family would not only join me, but deeply inspire me during this journey.
I had hoped that I would meet new people and make some friends, I continue to be stunned at the treasures we discovered during the campaign. My immediate family was strengthened, our friends became family, and we made wonderful new friendships.
I believe the hardest part of not winning was sharing the news with my two oldest boys, who often trudged along with me in the rain, sleet, and snow as we went from doorstep to doorstep. With their youthful enthusiasm and budding idealism, they took it hard. Melissa and I know that they shared an amazing adventure with us and that in time they will see that sometimes the journey is as important as the destination. Keanan our youngest misses his many Aunties and friends that filled our house with friendship in the final month of the campaign. However he turned 3 yrs old on Friday, September 12, so he has refocused more quickly than the rest of the family. He tremendously enjoyed seeing some of his Aunties and friends for cake and would like to have his birthday more often than annually.
The second hardest thing about not winning was the grief and sadness of so many wonderful people who helped along the way. It would be a much heavier burden if I thought we had left a stone unturned or failed to work as hard and smart as we could. My family is truly blessed that so many wonderful people cared so much.
This chapter closes and we begin another. We turn our vision forward. I am returning to work for Senator Robson, where I will continue to endeavor to make Wisconsin a better place to live, work, and raise a family. I believe that I will be an even more effective advocate with the experiences and voices I now carry with me. Melissa and many of our friends and family are now well versed in grassroots organizing and are interested in continuing to push for a better community.
In closing I want to again congratulate Kelda Helen Roys on her victory and I want encourage my supporters to move forward with helping to win a Democratic majority in the Assembly.
Thank you again for being a part of our effort to win the primary and make Wisconsin a State of Opportunity once again.
- Justin Sargent
Cell 220-2342 or sargentforassembly@sbcglobal.net
