Dear Friends and Supporters:
What an experience this election has been! As you know, this campaign was my first venture into politics, and I'm so grateful that circumstances pushed me into this year. I believe that for many reasons, history will mark this year as a turning point in our national politics, and all of us statewide candidates felt that sense of history as we trekked across the state.
For me and so many of you, the victories Tuesday night have rallied our spirits and inspired us as Americans. For my campaign, we came up short in the votes, but I hope that those of you who have given time and energy to my campaign believe as I do that it was worthwhile. Even in this frantic political season, we've had the opportunity to focus a little attention on that magnificent institution, the North Carolina Supreme Court. We've reconnected with former students, other lawyer friends, community activists, and a host of others who have felt a sense of purpose as we campaigned. I'm so grateful for your commitment. I wish I could have delivered for you as you have for me.
I have only positive feelings about this campaign. Throughout this experience, I've had the best of support. In my friend and campaign manager, Lisa Grafstein, I've had the best advice and the quickest wit on the campaign trail. No one could have had a more supportive family. To Hoppy, Michael, Caroline, and Lillie - thanks for keeping me going and helping me get closer to the mark. Caroline's skills at organizing and at managing data played a central role. To future son-in-law, Chris Collins, thanks for the best web site in politics. To my brother Claude, thanks for making sure my smiling face was plastered all over eastern North Carolina. I won't try to name all the others, except to point out the extraordinary efforts of Maureen Geraghty, Griff Morgan, Ellen Murphy, Debbie Parker, and Mike and Irene Stoll. Special thanks also to all of Debbie's county captains. No one can get work out of folks like Debbie, right?
Before I got back to Winston-Salem and the law school on Wednesday, I had asked my assistant, Brenda Sargent, to convene a meeting so I could thank the school for its support and answer questions about the process. As I was traveling from Raleigh, Brenda and the faculty had turned the meeting into a victory celebration for a campaign well run and for points well made. As they gave me a standing ovation, they helped give me what I believe is the accurate perspective on this experience. I hope you have that perspective, too.
From the bottom of my very grateful heart, many thanks.
Suzanne Reynolds