Yesterday was the worst day of my life.

[Atlas Has Shrugged]

Adam Hasner lost 9 amazing months came to an end, but reality is sinking in, and it sucks. I will write a whole Bushie style update thread on my experience later, but until then, I am throwing a pity party for myself.

[Donerail]

Yesterday was awesome. Johnson got over 3,000 votes in my county and broke 1 million nationwide, Ehrlich got closer to Young than almost any other candidate that ran against him, Castor won, we picked up HD-68 (Dudley) and HD-65 (Zimmermann), were competitive in 66, 67, and 69, didn't let the R for sheriff get above 60%, and we gained two seats on the 7-member County Commission (now 3 D, 2 "sane R", and 2 insane R), which should allow fluoridation and science once more. All Justices were retained, Scott's appointee to the school board was promptly tossed out, the school district referendum passed, and all amendments (except 3 half-decent ones) failed.

But you just need another campaign. I've got municipals in 2013; check around.

[Snowstalker Mk. II]

It's okay, man. One congressional race isn't that important. The important thing is, you worked and you fought for your guy, which will help you in future volunteer work and even a career in politics. Don't let this knock you down.

[Lambsbread]

Every single candidate I campaigned for lost and I worked 8 months haha

[Atlas Has Shrugged]

Every single candidate I campaigned for lost and I worked 8 months haha

True, but the difference between our races were the scale of them. While yours were far more important and memorable,  I was with the same “small” (It was no West/Murphy race) campaign for 9 months, and saw the candidate nearly every day. 

It's okay, man. One congressional race isn't that important. The important thing is, you worked and you fought for your guy, which will help you in future volunteer work and even a career in politics. Don't let this knock you down.

The campaign was almost a mental/emotional retreat for me. I kept my everyday life and the campaign as separate as possible. Most people outside my family and the Atlas were unaware I was involved. It’s like I had a vacation home, and it burnt down

Thanks for the kind words, guys. Reality is a b*tch.

[Ban my account ffs!]

Every single candidate I campaigned for lost and I worked 8 months haha

True, but the difference between our races were the scale of them. While yours were far more important and memorable,  I was with the same “small” (It was no West/Murphy race) campaign for 9 months, and saw the candidate nearly every day. 

It's okay, man. One congressional race isn't that important. The important thing is, you worked and you fought for your guy, which will help you in future volunteer work and even a career in politics. Don't let this knock you down.

The campaign was almost a mental/emotional retreat for me. I kept my everyday life and the campaign as separate as possible. Most people outside my family and the Atlas were unaware I was involved. It’s like I had a vacation home, and it burnt down

Thanks for the kind words, guys. Reality is a b*tch.

Reality is a b*tch.  It's still great that you got intimately involved.  Win or lose... once you get a taste, you can never stop.  And think.... it could've been worse... you could've stepped in a big pile of dog sh**t without having known it... and you could've been knocking on doors wondering why you keep smelling sh**t.  There's always an upside. 

[HagridOfTheDeep]

Last night pretty much felt like the end of the world for me, and I had virtually nothing invested in it. So I really feel bad for you, Sanchez.

Next cycle, I'm legitimately thinking of moving to Iowa for a few months to help the Martinez camp (assuming she does run). Last night was so disappointing on so many levels... This shit has got to stop, and I'm going to do everything I can to make sure it does.

[I spent the winter writing songs about getting better]

Every single candidate I campaigned for lost and I worked 8 months haha

True, but the difference between our races were the scale of them. While yours were far more important and memorable,  I was with the same “small” (It was no West/Murphy race) campaign for 9 months, and saw the candidate nearly every day. 

It's okay, man. One congressional race isn't that important. The important thing is, you worked and you fought for your guy, which will help you in future volunteer work and even a career in politics. Don't let this knock you down.

The campaign was almost a mental/emotional retreat for me. I kept my everyday life and the campaign as separate as possible. Most people outside my family and the Atlas were unaware I was involved. It’s like I had a vacation home, and it burnt down

Thanks for the kind words, guys. Reality is a b*tch.

Reality is a b*tch.  It's still great that you got intimately involved.  Win or lose... once you get a taste, you can never stop.  And think.... it could've been worse... you could've stepped in a big pile of dog sh**t without having known it... and you could've been knocking on doors wondering why you keep smelling sh**t.  There's always an upside. 

OMG welcome back.

Yesterday was a very very proud moment for our state indeed. I love this place right now so much.

[Ban my account ffs!]

Yeah, for the first time I am completely represented by Democrats from state house up to Obama.  Let's just say I was completely surprised at how freaking awesome the DFL/Dems did yesterday.

[Simfan34]

I feel oddly unmoved.

[Lief 🗽]

I contributed $19 to the Obama campaign and then he won the election, so that was pretty cool.

[tmthforu94]

It was tough for me - I'll likely post a full reaction sometime later this week. I'm still trying to adjust - while many on the forum support Romney now, I think Winfield and I are the only one's who've been around for quite a while and have loyally supported Romney throughout.

[Simfan34]

I contributed $19 to the Obama campaign and then he won the election, so that was pretty cool.

I contributed $76 to the Huntsman campaign, and he lost. Nor did I ever get my t-shirt.

[MASHED POTATOES. VOTE!]

I was pretty confident Obama is going to win reelection, though I expected it to be closer (I gave Colorado to Romney) and projection is going to take a longer time.

I was more excited about Senate races.

[Atlas Has Shrugged]

I feel oddly unmoved.

You should be unmoved (about me, at least). I'm just a whiny 16 year old who got a little too emotionally involved in a campaign. The other elections are nothing for me to be upset about. I expected Obama to win.

It was tough for me - I'll likely post a full reaction sometime later this week. I'm still trying to adjust - while many on the forum support Romney now, I think Winfield and I are the only one's who've been around for quite a while and have loyally supported Romney throughout.

You were actually in my thoughts on election night, seeing as you were the only Romney supporter here who was dedicated without being a hack.

Sorry to hear that, Sanchez.

Thank you, we fought a good fight and came up short. Onwards to 2014.

Last night pretty much felt like the end of the world for me, and I had virtually nothing invested in it. So I really feel bad for you, Sanchez.

Next cycle, I'm legitimately thinking of moving to Iowa for a few months to help the Martinez camp (assuming she does run). Last night was so disappointing on so many levels... This shit has got to stop, and I'm going to do everything I can to make sure it does.

I might go to Iowa and help out Rand Paul for the summer. See you in Iowa .

I contributed $19 to the Obama campaign and then he won the election, so that was pretty cool.

I contributed $76 to the Huntsman campaign, and he lost. Nor did I ever get my t-shirt.

I have an extra Adam Hasner tshirt I can send up, if it makes you feel any better .

[MASHED POTATOES. VOTE!]

Don't worry, Sanchez, there will be more elections and in some your candidate will win

[Niemeyerite]

I think that's exactly how I felt last year, when the right won an absolute majority in my town... I kept thinking the race was close, that our campaign was superior... Ant then, the left lost by 6 points overall (I wa sure we had a slight lead). But after a month or so, you go to bed thinking about other things (next elections, for example haha).

[© tweed]

you've had a pretty sweet life then

[Lambsbread]

you've had a pretty sweet life then

LOL

[FEMA Camp Administrator]

Haha! While the rest of you put your emotion into the outcome of the race, many of us made profits by simply standing on the sidelines and checking your ID as you voted!

But in all serious, sorry to hear about all your hard work going to waste. There's always next year (or whenever the next election is), right? Who knows, maybe I'll move out from behind that Elections Inspector table to work on a campaign myself. Being an Elections Inspector is good money though.

[Lief 🗽]

I contributed $19 to the Obama campaign and then he won the election, so that was pretty cool.

I contributed $76 to the Huntsman campaign, and he lost. Nor did I ever get my t-shirt.

I got an Obama-Biden bumper sticker, a Women for Obama (for some reason) bumper sticker, and an Obama 2012 fridge magnet all as contribution rewards. This election worked out pretty well for me, swag-wise.

[Lambsbread]

I got an Obama-Biden bumper sticker, a Women for Obama (for some reason) bumper sticker, and an Obama 2012 fridge magnet all as contribution rewards. This election worked out pretty well for me, swag-wise.

Maybe the Obama-Biden campaign is telling you to search inside for the real you.

[Dancing with Myself]

I'm sorry to hear that Sanchez! At least you participated in the process! Nothing wrong with that!

I had a good day, from voting at an empty place to covering the election and getting positive feedback I had an epic day myself.

[Smid]

Every single candidate I campaigned for lost and I worked 8 months haha

True, but the difference between our races were the scale of them. While yours were far more important and memorable,  I was with the same “small” (It was no West/Murphy race) campaign for 9 months, and saw the candidate nearly every day. 

I've been in the same situation. It really is horrible when a candidate you you admire and respect loses, especially when you know them personally and when you've campaigned for them full time. It's even worse when they're a losing incumbent. It will probably take a while to get over the emotional toll of the loss, which bizarrely is a good thing - it means you stand for something and had a go to advance your cause. Just don't become bitter about it, nor despondant - those are easy emotions to end up taking away long term, but that bitterness is a poison and will make you feel much worse down the track. I find that your former President Roosevelt's speech "The Man in the Arena" (from his "Citizenship in a Republic" speech) is a good one to consider following a loss. I'm sure you've already got it stuck up on your wall or somewhere, but for ease of reference:

You must be logged in to read this quote.

I mean, you weren't actually the one "daring greatly" but your candidate was, so you should take comfort from that. You would have shared in his victory, just as you're sharing in his defeat, so I guess that sets you aside from those "cold and timid souls."