As readers of these pages know, I've been a big political supporter of Nick Melvoin, since he was first-elected to the Los Angeles School Board, and then won re-election two years ago. He's the son of my friends Jeff and Martha Melvoin (who I believe were the only parents of any candidate in the race who walked through the district knocking on doors...), and has a wonderful background in law, politics (having worked in the Obama Administration) and teaching, as well as community activity. And he recently ran for Congress in the CA-30 district, hoping to win the seat vacated by Adam Schiff in his run for the U.S. Senate. Though Nick got some good endorsements, including the Los Angeles Daily News and Collin Allred (who just won the Democratic nomination for a U.S. Senate race in Texas against Ted Cruz), unfortunately he didn't finish in the top two of the "jungle primary" for the House nomination. Among other things, the 30th District didn't overlap the district that Nick represents on the School Board, so it was a tough battle against several well-known representatives in the state. Happily, he didn't have to give up his seat on the School Board, and I think he still has a great future. What also stood out for me was the "concession" email he sent out to all supporters. It was pure Nick -- gracious and thoughtful, upbeat and forward-looking, not a slam at anyone in sight, and I think it could stand out as a template for all candidates who don't win their race. It was so good that I thought I would post it here. Hey Robert -- Today, I'm reaching out to share some thoughts following Tuesday's election. Although there are still tens of thousands of votes to count, things did not go our way and we won't be advancing to the November election. I'm incredibly humbled by the support I've received throughout this campaign. I want to thank everyone — family, friends, volunteers, campaign staff, and community leaders — who joined our campaign and shared our message of solutions-oriented leadership. Building this movement would not have been possible without you, Robert. While these aren't the results we wanted, I am happy to congratulate my friend Assemblymember Laura Friedman on her successful, hard-fought campaign; it looks like she will be taking on a Republican in November. Getting to know the other candidates eager to uplift our community has been such a gift in this experience. I look forward to working with all of them to deliver for the communities of California's 30th congressional district. I am so proud of this campaign, but, more than that, so humbled by the experience. My overwhelming sentiment over the last 24 hours has truly been one of gratitude: I'm grateful for my community, for my family, and for all of you in my corner. You make the successes all the more satisfying and the losses all the easier to bear. It has been said that victory has a thousand fathers, but defeat is an orphan; I have not found that at all true with you. I believe in politics because I believe in people–in our ability to do amazing things when we come together. That belief is undeterred. At a time when our politics seems so cynical and our world so bleak, I remember that we are here because of the choices people make. We can make better choices. Not just the big important ones in elections every few years, but the little ones every day. How we treat one another. How we show up for each other. It struck me as I was talking to voters at their doorsteps over the last few weeks that the world is not often changed by grand gestures, but by almost invisible ones: acts of kindness and inclusion and tolerance that start to change the way we treat one another. At its best, that is what public service can be: a manifestation of our belief in one another. I remain deeply committed to that work, on the School Board and as a citizen, and I thank you for the opportunity to serve. Onward, Nick
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AuthorRobert J. Elisberg is a political commentator, screenwriter, novelist, tech writer and also some other things that I just tend to keep forgetting. Feedspot Badge of Honor
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