Greg Varian, Democratic Candidate for County District 10 wrote a gracious thank you note to supporters. In the note Varian reveals an interesting and positive development — “an unprecedented non-partisan joint lawn sign removal agreement with my victorious opponent.”
Good for him. Here is his note to supporters.
After two months of 18-hour days on the campaign trail, Wednesday was quite an adjustment. No train stations, or schedule from Wendy or Jeremy to follow, but still work: 500 lawn signs to remove and a zillion calls to make. I still haven’t cut my grass or quit smoking (I’m sure the Republicans will note my delay in executing those campaign promises if I run again). But I did initiate an unprecedented non-partisan joint lawn sign removal agreement with my victorious opponent. (Thank you Mitch, Eileen, Brian & John Filiberti for your prompt execution of same.)
And now a big thank-you for your tremendous campaign effort is a few days overdue.
Never having run for political office, I didn’t know what to expect, and I don’t know if I learned quickly enough what was needed from the candidate. But personally, I have no regrets. I made new friends, and deepened old relationships. I explored new neighborhoods and re-established my ties to different communities in New Rochelle.
Still, we lost the election and we didn’t expect it; not after the campaign you ran. Your effort was unprecedented in so many ways: the number of energized volunteers; the number of EDs walked and lit drops undertaken by our former Mayor, Tim Idoni; the Father’s Day whirlwind lit drop with Mayor Fitzpatrick and Town Chair Filiberti; the round-the-clock assistance of my fellow former neighboring neighborhood association president, former Tuckahoe resident and current City Councilman, Jim Stowe; the single-minded devotion of our legendary City Chair, Arnold Klugman. And everyone else who walked door to door, wrote emails, made phone calls, and signed checks. I’m still overwhelmed thinking of it.
So why did we lose? I’ll leave analysis to others. In hindsight, maybe the only way we could have won is if I had moved to Eastchester 20 years ago or changed my party affiliation. The former didn’t happen — and the latter never will.
I’m not taking any negative lessons from the outcome. If we stand by our convictions, we will regain the trust of voters and continue to have a role in shaping our community. I remain dedicated to that goal, and I expect you do too.
Thank you for all your hard work these past two months. I’m already looking forward to our next chance to work together.
Be well,
Greg Varian
