A Movement Begins Where The Campaign Ends

Dear Friends and Allies,

I am sad to say we did not receive enough votes to make the run-off election in November. At the same time, I am proud of the movement we built to rescue our shared humanity, and excited about what we will do together next.

I am disappointed that I will not be able to compete with Gov. Gavin Newsom over rival visions for addressing California’s challenges, but congratulate him and Sen. Brian Dahle on their victory. I hope their campaigns engage substantively on our most pressing issues.

I am proud of the inspiring, independent movement that we built over the last three months. We advocated for humane and rational solutions to our biggest problems: crime and homelessness; energy and water shortages; and declining student achievement.

Ultimately, these problems must be addressed if our civilization is to survive. While there is some variation in how civilized nations deal with homelessness, energy, and education, all put in place highly similar institutions, policies, and technologies.

This is the end of a campaign and the beginning of a movement. I had the great pleasure of gathering with our supporters last night where we re-affirmed our commitment to our shared humanity and civilization. We have the courage to care — more than ever.

We are up against powerful cultural, political, and financial forces that feel overwhelming, and yet we managed to inject our demands into the national conversation on a shoestring budget and without the benefit of a pre-existing identity. What we built, we built from scratch.

Great things have small beginnings. We founded the California Peace Coalition just one year ago. San Fransicko was published nine months ago. We got into the race three months ago, raising a little more than $1 million. And yet we have permanently altered the conversation about California’s future.

Change will come. We must summon the courage, strength, and faith to fight for it. The American project is incomplete. We can complete it. We have a Statue of Liberty in the East. Now, more than ever, we need a Statue of Responsibility in the West.

Onward!

Michael