Almost half the votes remain uncounted in our race, and the final margin will continue to narrow as those votes are tallied. But the ultimate result, unfortunately, will not change.

We fought as hard as we possibly could. As of mid-September, polling showed we had a 6-point lead. And the race remained competitive up until the very end.

Yet at the end of the day, the headwinds were too strong: the nation’s most radical gerrymander focused specifically on our district; the biggest wave election in half a century; millions and millions in outside spending.

I’m proud of the race we ran. We had to fight back, and we did, harder than anyone expected, forcing our opponents to pull out all the stops in the final weeks. The support you provided every step of the way was nothing short of amazing and gave us a chance to defy the odds.

And we decisively won the areas I currently represent, those that are part of both the old and new district. Extrapolating those results, if there were no Prop. 50 we would likely have won and been the only non-Democrat in the country reelected in a district that competitive. 

I suppose it would be natural to feel bitterness about all of this. And if I’m being honest, I do to some extent. But mainly, what I feel is gratitude.

I’m tremendously grateful for the privilege I’ve had to represent our state and country. I’m grateful I’ve had the chance fight for things that are genuinely important. Most of all, I’m grateful for you. I have the very best supporters anywhere. 

At its best, politics can be about bringing people together for a common purpose. And we have all come together as part of a movement, a community, for the worthiest of purposes: to fight for the greatest state in the country, and the greatest country in the world.

What’s next for me? Most importantly, I’m looking forward to becoming a dad later this month. Chelsee and I are incredibly blessed to be expecting a baby girl very soon.

I will continue to fight for getting California back on track in any way I can. As for public life, I do believe there will be another chapter. I don’t know what it will be, or when. But I don’t think this is the end of the story.

I love our area, I love our state, I love our country, and I love all of you. We’ll be back.

Kevin