Going Forward with Texas Tomorrow

When the final votes were counted on Election Day, my run for the US House came to an end. We were less than 10,000 votes behind out of over 350,000 cast. More Republicans, Independents, Democrats voted for our campaign than any Democratic Congressional candidate in the state of Texas (over 167,000). Meaning that we built the biggest new coalition of voters in the State of Texas at the Congressional level.

That huge new coalition inside our narrow margin of loss — in Texas, in a heavily gerrymandered Republican district held by a 32-year incumbent — directly reflects the passion, commitment, and leadership shown by the hundreds of thousands of Texans who fought to make a difference on November 6th.

And the difference we made was huge.

Texans stood strong against the politics of division, fear, incivility, and falsehood.

We voted for science, facts, and truth.

We supported America as a beacon of hope for those seeking better lives.

We stood up for the dignity, respect, and rights of all Americans regardless of gender, race, age, health status, where they worship or whom they love.

We committed to mend our fractured communities; abandon divisive, partisan politics; and reclaim American leadership in the world.

So, while the results won’t allow me to represent Texas 21 in Congress — our Texas values took us to higher ground and delivered a new expectation of American politics.

And I can’t thank you enough.

The impact here in Texas 21 — and around the country — will continue to inspire over the coming months and provide the momentum needed over the next two years.

Things are likely to get rough. And what provided motivation in 2018 will likely motivate even more tomorrow.

On the national level, real progress must be made on the challenges that define our time: healthcare, immigration, common sense gun reform, and climate change.

For far too long, partisan and special interests have used these issues to divide our country. Individual Americans, American families, and American small businesses are being held hostage.

Fixing these problems is Congress’ job — expect them to do it. Demand transparency, accessibility, and accountability of elected representatives.

Here in Texas 21, we’ve built incredible momentum and a new coalition of Texans focused on tomorrow.

I am humbled by your belief in — and commitment to — this effort.

That momentum will not be lost.

We’re parsing the data on this historic election and meeting with stakeholders around the district to get post-election feedback in real time.

We’ll use that data to optimize an innovative initiative called Texas Tomorrow to provide citizens, business groups, and current and emerging community leaders support and tools to explore and advocate for the issues that matter most to the citizens of Texas 21.

Increased opportunity for veterans and their families; new approaches to clean energy and mobility; education and training opportunities for 21st-century jobs; sustaining and leveraging our booming tech and entrepreneurship sectors have been identified in focus groups, town halls, and roundtables as shared priorities in our communities.

Texas Tomorrow will be guided by all voices and viewpoints to strengthen our economy and provide a sustainable and safe future for the next generations of Texans. The work will be shared with stakeholders around the country to strengthen and broaden this new approach to transparent, consensus-based, non-partisan, policy and economic development.

The results will help us build a stronger Texas. A more transparent Texas, with better public service, better public servants, better campaigns, better candidates, and more empowered, engaged, and connected citizens.

While my family and I haven’t considered what the future holds for us, I encourage each of you to consider the real challenge of the next two years.

These elections may be over, but every Texan — Democrat, Republican, Independent, Libertarian, or none of the above — knows that we remain at a crossroads in America.

And 2020 is going to arrive like a tidal wave.

It’s up to us to hold the higher ground in Texas 21.

Hyperpartisans on both sides of the aisle will continue their efforts to divide and conquer, but we shouldn’t be among them. Expect your representatives to raise the bar of civility, compromise, and conversation to achieve your goals.

Every day, in Texas 21, we must offer a better alternative.

Every day, we must work past stereotypes and expectation and reach out to strengthen the coalition of Texans willing to work for a better Texas tomorrow.

Outgoing Texas House Speaker Straus recently reminded us that “there are plenty of men and women, willing to upset the most ardent partisans if that’s what’s required to do the right thing. They work to build consensus, they listen, and they focus their energy on the challenges that will determine our future.”

Those men and women exist, and they exist right here, they’re our neighbors.

It’s up to us to continue reaching out and offering them an alternative.

Read more about my future efforts and Texas Tomorrow at my website.