The Hardest Part.The Post-Primary Day Of Dissonance And Moving On As A Team.

Starting with an apology. While today is Thursday and my standard publish dates are MWF at 7:30 am, I did not publish yesterday, without warning.Apologies. Let’s just say I needed a little time and space. Consider today’s column my Wednesday column!

Now that the very contentious primary season in Illinois is in the rearview mirror, candidates, voters and supporters are faced with the age-old “Day of Dissonance” post primary. Unfortunately, not everyone can win. Sometimes things do not go our way and that, is truly difficult to deal with particularly for candidates, who often take a year off to work sixteen hours days nonstop to campaign. The end is stark and harsh when they lose.

Truthfully, I was a little weepy last night with tears of both joy and disappointment Some of my candidates won and some lost. All extremely hard fought battles. Lots of lines were crossed. People were cruel. Lies and truths were told. And yet, often, goodness prevailed.

Pretty much an average Illinois Election :)

Now the hard part begins: moving forward as a team.

With all of that, we now have the grueling process of “coming together.”

I know, believe me, I’m Irish and it takes me a minute to genuinely move on. And yet I will because, quite simply we must. We must go into this general election as a team so we can take our country back and get rid of a dictator.

The stakes are too big.

A few things to remember:

• Voters: we don’t always get who we want in a primary, but maybe take solace in the candidate who won in the primary might not be perfect, but likely agrees with you 70% of the time. Now, you can pressure that nominee to come your way on some of your perspectives. The work does not end after the primary.
• Voters: We have another opportunity in 2, 4, and 6 years to run a new candidate if we feel like the candidate you supported and lost, should try again. The time will fly in that short period - I assure you - stay involved.
• Candidates: If you got with in spitting distance of taking out your opponent you will have another opportunity soon. While you wait to do that, help other candidates with the general election and get to know your community even better.
• Supporters and Volunteers: Your mental health is important. Take a week, two or three off and breathe. Don’t think or talk politics. Then if you feel like you can move on and help the candidate you did not vote for in the primary, please do help in the general election.

Please remember, the process is messy, difficult emotionally, but we are all on the same team.

That team knows one singular thing: We must take the US House and Senate back with a significant majority in order to bring accountability and justice to the felons in DC, start to reverse their inhumanity and insanity as well as bring transformative actions to fruition.

So let’s all hold that dear. Fake it until you make it.

When you are able, get back to work. Think about the greater good.