Before ever running for the County Commission, I began a career as a political consultant and managed campaigns for more than 15 years.  Someone in my early days as an operative (I can't remember who) said, "In campaigns you always find out who your real friends are." That may be one of the truest statements anyone has ever told me.  In more than sixty campaigns, I've watched candidates crushed by the betrayal of a long-time friend and deeply touched by the unexpected sacrifices of others.  This campaign was no different.

Shortly after learning that I would have opposition in the May primary, I made a call to my good friend...let's call him John.  John was not only my friend, but for nearly 15 years was my exclusive source for printing.  I had spent thousands of dollars with him, eaten numerous meals, even once talked about going into business together.  John came over and I laid out my plans for the campaign.  I would print these things, use this message, abide by that timeline and spend this much.  John said he was ready to help again.

Two days later, John called and said he had been approached by my opponent and wondered if I would mind if he printed for both of us.  Shocked, I said, "Well yes I do mind if you print for my opponent!"  (A quality printer is a tactical advantage.) Seemingly only slightly bothered, he agreed to print for me and not my opponent.

Two days after that, John called again.  This time he said he was tired of politics, nearing retirement and no longer wanted to print for politicians, and therefore could not do my work.  Needless to say, I was disappointed, scrambled to find help, but never suspected what came next.  Through a series of events, I learned John had actually helped recruit my opponent and not only printed for him, but served as his chief strategist.  In an email from John some weeks later, he said I had disappointed conservatives and that "serious Christians" no longer would support me.  Well, either the "serious Christians" didn't vote this time, or John was just wrong.

But for the one John, a couple of colleagues, candidates, long-time aquaintances and other less dramatic disappointments, there were many who came to my aid in unexpected ways. 

There was Kelly, my campaign manager in 2006.  What is remarkable about having his support again is that Kelly, a prominent party activist, has often been put in the unenviable position of defending my votes and remarks in hard core Republican circles.  Despite the frequent lambasting, inter-party strife and likely doubts of his own, Kelly's loyalty is unmatched -- a rare quality indeed.

Then there are those, largely apolitical, who without being asked volunteered to canvass their neighborhoods. Entire families worked early voting. Two elderly people that I know of insisted on being driven to the polls on the heels of significant hospital stays. Democratic friends, in their words, chose character over issues and pulled a Republican ballot for the first time. A courageous young woman told her story to a reporter at great personal risk, because she couldn't stand by, remain quiet and let what she believed to be an injustice go unchallenged. 

Then there was Mr. Lambert, who drove to the polls to meet me, left and called a half hour later to ask me to help him fill out his sample ballot, returned to the polls two days later to be sure about whom he had selected and finally arrived a fourth time with his ailing wife to help her cast her vote.  There were those, who I know are struggling, who dug deeper a second and even third time to financially support my candidacy.  And finally the many who collectively spent hundreds of hours in prayer for my family and me.

The reasons these people invested in my candidacy are I am sure varied.  But hopefully there is a crossroads, a nexus at which their motivations meet that includes something about honesty, integrity, data-driven decision-making, or a genuine belief that I can be a small part of the solutions to our community's most pressing issues.  Whatever the reasons, I am deeply moved by the gestures described above and the many others that weren't even mentioned.

Really, campaigns are not all that different than the rest of our lives.  Isn't it in times of crisis, high stress and challenge that some come alongside us, wade deep into our muck and ask for nothing in return? Others stand by and watch and are there to congratulate us when we crawl out, and still others who we thought would offer a hand are actually the ones who were holding us down.

My sincere thanks to all of you who waded in.