I want to offer my deepest gratitude to all of you who supported me throughout this campaign. I particularly want to thank all those who volunteered, contributed to my campaign, and most of all, trusted me with their vote on Election Day.

While I am happy to report that I was reelected last week, the statewide results were obviously a deep disappointment to me personally, as they probably were for you as well. Not only did I lose some of my close colleagues in the House of Delegates, but the election represented a step back for equality and the vision of change that America voted for last November.

But with a new, conservative Republican administration set to begin in January, now is not the time to back down, now is not the time to stop working for what you and I believe in. While I am committed to reaching across the aisle to find common ground on the enormous challenges we face, I know that we must remain vigilant to ensure that the gains achieved over the last eight years are not erased in the next four.

I’m proud of the work I’ve done in Richmond-but there is so much more we have left to achieve. In this time of challenge and opportunity for the America-and the Commonwealth-it is a formidable task to steer Virginia on a steady course forward.

I want to continue to play a constructive role in building a better Virginia. Your support helps ensure that I can.

Thanks again for your continued support and confidence.

Sincerely,