Post-election selections and rejections

Editor’s Note: This article was reprinted (with slight changes) in Journal & Topics Newspapers.

The political dust has now settled from the midterm elections, with one thought that should not be forgotten:

An incredible amount of effort has been put in by all the candidates. True for the winners as well as those who did not come out on top. The commitment to run for office is substantial. Time away from family, time away from regular jobs, and significant financial burden are but a few of the seething remnants after a long battle in the political arena.

A risky venture to jump into, for sure.

Kudos to those who took the chance. The ones who decided to get into the oft-muddied waters of local and state politics and risk so much of their own personal pride and reputations. 

Everyone always says whatever you do, always give 100% (with the notable exception of when you’re giving blood), and that is for sure what all these candidates have done.

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Nobody described this better than President Teddy Roosevelt in his famous “The Man in the Arena” speech, which in part said, “It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes up short again and again. The person who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly.”

We now know the victors in the various races. Congratulations to all who ran the good race, hopefully without tearing down opponents, and still came out victorious. The post-election parties were surely deserved, and many candidates are experiencing that same adrenaline-fueled “runner’s high” that many of the marathon runners speak of.

We wish all those victorious the best as you begin (or, in some cases, continue on) in your public service positions. Hopefully, you accepted the victory gracefully, and even more importantly, are dedicated now to serving all of the people in your particular district or region—not just those who may have voted for you.

To those who did not come out on top, it is without question a disappointment---oftena painful one. After all the passion, energy, and effort put into the campaign, to see it all go for naught with an Election Day defeat is tough. It is tough on the ego, tough on your supporters, tough on your family and friends, and tough on the very core of your inner soul. But it is so only because of the incredible effort you put into it.

Hopefully you understand, and time will work its healing ways here for sure, that you let no one down. Not any of the aforementioned. Your supporters, your staff, your volunteers, and especially your family and friends know how much you gave of yourself. So, when the debris of disappointment fades slowly over time, those folks, those closest to you, will know how hard you fought, and they will be proud of you.

Furthermore, is public service something you really want to do? Then by all means, don’t give up now. Look for ways to get involved, build your resume, and be ready to bounce back again when the time is right.

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It is not how hard you fall, but rather how quickly you bounce back up that is the true character of a person.

None other than Abe Lincoln lost his first eight political battles, including being defeated for the Illinois state legislature and as speaker of the House for the Illinois House of Representatives. On his ninth try? He was elected president of the United States.

Hopefully, as the posters and signs come down, the nasty advertising campaigns thankfully come to a close, and some of the divisiveness and rhetoric fade into the November cold, we can all find a way to be more tolerant, work together, and find a peaceful and compassionate common ground.

It is now in the hands of those who came out victorious on Election Day to make that happen.

Too good to be true? Too much to ask? Let’s hope not.