Mike and Betsy Bullard with son, Harrison, and friend on election night.
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I want to thank all those who have supported me. I am honored and humbled by the support of so many wonderful people. We knew when we started that the times and the numbers were stacked against us. So, regardless of the outcome we can say it has been a good campaign, and above all, a personally clean campaign.
I naturally can live well with my loss. What bothers me deeply, and what I know bothers many of you, is seeing how many good individuals in Idaho who were cast aside because they didn’t have the “politically correct” party name. That is the part that is heaviest on my heart. I know a lot of people today are feeling like big money has used rhetoric and name calling to stampede people. In anger and emotion so many have forgotten anything about individual candidates and just voted a straight party label. Unfortunately, in Idaho, the ruling monopoly only used party philosophy to cover up the excesses of special interest groups.
However, we must not be discouraged about the future. The struggle for truth is an eternal one. It has gone on for ages and it will go on. Times are especially tough in Idaho and, sadly, a lot of us believe they will now get tougher, first for schools, for vulnerable seniors and disabled persons, but also for our whole state economy, as we have dropped over the years to become one of the poorest states in the nation. Sadly, things sometimes have to get worse before people understand. Eventually, though, I believe people of all political parties will come to see what is happening and be willing to stand up to pressures that silence them now.
Until then, thank you, friends. In the coming weeks and months I will try to find ways to see that your support has not been in vain, but will be a beginning to some good future effort. Life goes on. It’s a beautiful sunny Fall day. Betsy and I have plans to keep today, and leaves to rake.
God bless, Mike Bullard
