What a fantastic journey! 

We’ve come a long way since I first announced my candidacy for the U.S. House of Representatives, last year.  In that basement restaurant in Little Italy we talked optimistically about America , The city of New York , and how to make things better for all of our futures.  After months of hard work I am writing to you to express my deepest gratitude, and for all of your help in my campaign.  While the outcome of the campaign was not one that we all desired, it simply goes to show you that the career politicians are afraid to even allow another person into a public debate with them, yet alone a primary. By challenging my petition signatures, my opponent used the legal system to have my name removed from the ballot.  Having the people decide may have proved to have been too risky.  For in these times, a fair fight there seldom is. 

Over the course of the last 10 months, I have been privileged and touched to witness the incredible dedication and sacrifice of the people working for our campaign. The long hours and grueling hot July days were trying.  I am truly humbled by the support and encouragement I have received from all of you. Every minute of the day that you put into helping us win, every dollar that you contributed to keep up the fight meant more to me than I can ever express. Every time I received a contribution, it touched me profoundly. 

This has been a long and hard-fought battle.  I was up against an opponent who is deeply entrenched in her office, and has chosen politics as a career.  When I decided to run for Congress, I knew exactly why I was running: to work hard every day for the hard working people in NY 12, to protect our children from future economic downturns, and to represent properly, without bias, all of the constituents who need a voice in  Washington .  When my work was done, I would leave.

I made you, and everyone who supported me, a promise.  I told you that I would stand for you.  That our core values and concerns would be expressed, and that I would never be beholden to PACS or special interests.  That I would never be bribed by their money, and that I would never back down from my morals. My promise stands today, tomorrow, and for the rest of my life.

I will, as you will, continue to yearn for a stronger America and a world that is better than it is today.  While doing so I will turn to you for the support, the strength, and the fortitude that you have demonstrated to me over the past 10 months. I will never forget the issues and causes that are important to you.  I learned quite a bit from listening.

In the past few days, you have shown the same support once again with your messages to the campaign.  And again, I am touched by your emails and calls.  Your passion for the country is exhilarating.

What else can I say…but thank you.  I am sincere in these words, and if you know me, then you understand me.  However, there is still hard work ahead of us.  Our country faces a rough and tumble future.  The challenges in our economy are many, the housing market is flat, and unemployment is still unsettled.  It may remain like this for a while.  I hope that in the next election in November, there are people like me elected into the next Congress.  People willing to make the tough decisions that will get our economy and country back on track.  This is the greatest country in the world; we just need to correct our course.

I look forward to the future, and working with you to build a stronger New York and a stronger country.  For now I will re-enter the business sector and continue to do my part in responsible home lending.

All of my supporters and all of the people I met in the street have etched a place in my heart.  For the journey is not over, it has only just begun. I live my life by one simple rule.  NEVER EVER QUIT, NEVER GIVE UP.

Bruce