Dear beloved friends and family ~~

Dear beloved friends and family ~~

Friends because we started as friends; and family because we built a family that was centered around the heart and soul of a campaign for Congress. Beloved because you are – and you are loved for all you have given to this campaign. Many of you gave so much despite your own struggles and for that I am eternally grateful.

During this campaign, some of you battled with your own personal health issues, yet you came to the table to discuss new strategies for improved health care. Many of you came to the campaign with financial challenges, yet you gave of yourself to be part of the solution. Some of you felt powerless in your jobs, yet you came to our meetings and labored hard and long, bringing your many gifts to the campaign. You sacrificed sleep; you gave of your mornings, afternoons and evenings whether they were spent in meetings, at brunches, teas, coffee gatherings and countless evening events. You offered your houses, your networks, your money and time. My feelings of having been blessed by all you gave are immeasurable.

My decision to focus our exceptional energy on making a difference right here in our community is a direct result of all of the conversations in which we engaged. This campaign began as a movement and will continue to be so. The consistent expressions of hope and requests of “does anyone care?” have become the fruits of our labor, which will continue to be realized in the days, weeks and months -- even years to come!

We have successfully connected with those who felt as though they had no voice, had become disinterested in civic participation and brought people to the table that had never considered political engagement previously. We have so much to be proud of.

Despite what we lacked in an organized constituency, in running as an independent, and despite not have the dollars compare to those of the Democrats or Republicans, we have all worked exceptionally hard to make a difference. And we have. My hope is that each of you gained from the experience. Maybe you did a task during the campaign that was out of your comfort level, but you grew to enjoy the task. Maybe you developed new friendships you didn’t have before. I’m sure each of us learned how hard it is to run for office. But I think most of us will be back.

All of us have felt some stirring in our hearts to gather around the table as Americans wanting to be more involved in our community or wanting a better government. Future announcements will be coming about projects with which we will have opportunities of engagement. Many opportunities are before us including creating responsible economic policies and immigration reform, healthcare, energy and education advancement and increasing voter participation.

In the beginning, I asked for you to stand up as leaders. All of you did and have made me very proud of your efforts. In the end, we are all leaders; and today we each know a little better how much our hearts, souls and minds of those in our midst care.

The level of compassion you have all demonstrated is what makes us all beloved friends and family. Whatever our future holds for us, nothing about that will ever change.

Thank you from the bottom of my heart for all the heart you gave during the campaign. May love, commitment and compassion continue to guide you.

Until we meet again, I am . . . Eternally yours, Annie Loyd