BELATED THANK YOU FROM RICHARD L. GRABOWSKI FOR U.S. CONGRESS IL 3RD CD 2012

Dear friends and supporters,

Now that the 2012 General Elections are behind us, and the 2013 inaugurations are upon us, I wanted to thank you for your support throughout our campaign efforts to win Illinois’ 3rd Congressional District seat.

Many unexpected voting results came in on the night of November 6th 2012 in so many races in Illinois and around the country.  For us, we were running against the 30 year, 2 generation, one of Illinois’ largest powerbroker family names, with no support from the state party or national party.  Our race was probably the toughest one to win in Illinois.  My opponent received most of his $1,700,000 of campaign funding from union dues money shoveled in from union PACs and lobbyists.  We raised just under $13,000, which came from ordinary concerned citizens donating to our campaign for the greater good.  We were outspent 130 to 1, but we fought hard to keep pace with the incumbent and kept him on the run.  We sent no district wide mailings, had no newspaper, TV or radio ads, but gained a lot of grassroots support from local township Republican organizations and Tea Party organizations.

We took the fight to Dan Lipinski and Mike Madigan’s Chicago Democratic Machine, where the fight for this district needed to be.  We made great friends in somewhat unexpected areas, with many Chicago police officers, firemen, teachers, city, county and state workers.  Not every south-sider in Chicago who works for the city, county or state is happy to be part of Madigan and Lipinski’s machine.  During any other election year, my opponent would be complacent that he’d win the district with just the Chicago vote totals alone that would dwarf the suburban voting numbers, but Lipinski knew he had a serious challenge on his hands this year, and we made him work hard for the suburban vote.  We also raised quite a few eyebrows within the borders of Chicago.  You helped make this all possible!  Thank you!

(Check out the image with election final totals)

Our results were nothing to ignore.  The demographics and geography of this district range from one extreme to the other.  You might be surprised to know that we not only WON Homer Township, but EVERY SINGLE PRECINCT in Homer Township!  We also WON Lemont Township handily, We came very close to winning in Orland Township, an area that has seen significant Democrat growth in recent years.  Palos Township produced many winning precincts as well.

We figured we would see low numbers in Chicago, that was a given, but look at the Suburban Cook County, Will County and DuPage County Totals.

Democrats came out in very large numbers this year.  Yet our totals and percentages compared with the ‘rock-star’ incumbent Republicans from northern Illinois, who also took a severe beating.  We lost the election, but did VERY WELL running an ordinary citizen, working class conservative Republican candidate in the 3rd District, the very tough, traditionally Democrat home district of IL House Speaker Mike Madigan.  We ran a clean campaign.  I have no regrets.

I've made quite a few friends and acquaintances along the way. I am proud of the individual Republican team members, great ordinary people like you and me, that stepped forward to run for our various legislative and judicial seats - make no mistake, most candidates are not recruited by my party - they step up to the plate, run their own campaigns, raise their own funds, and sacrifice a LOT of family time - but all for the greater good and a higher calling.

No matter what the final score of the game is at this point, take some time to thank the good candidates who had the guts to step forward to represent you and your area.  Even in the tough democrat areas of the south and southwest side of Chicago, in Cook County, and all over Illinois - we didn't just give up.  We ran, ran hard, and toughed it out.  Many candidates ran because you and your neighbors didn't or couldn't.  Next time, it's your turn. :-)

I am humbled by your support and thankful for your friendship.

Sincerely,

Richard L. Grabowski

Paid for by Citizens for Richard L. Grabowski