Dear friends,

The election results are in, and we won a resounding victory. In a district that was gerrymandered to elect a Republican, after defeating an incumbent by a mere 550 votes two years ago, we won Tuesday’s election with 62% — a victory margin of over 11,000 votes! In 2004, we won just 23 precincts. On Tuesday, we won all 43.

That’s an incredible shift in just two years. I believe it represents an endorsement of our shared commitment to public education and political reform, and our shared hope for a politics that is more cooperative, effective, and humble than what we’ve seen in recent years. In my first term, I worked hard to represent my constituents in the spirit of bipartisanship and civility that they expect and deserve, and I believe that the margin of our victory is an endorsement of that approach.

I will continue to maintain an open door to the people who voted against me, as well as those who voted for me. And I will continue to make listening a centerpiece of my service in the Texas House of Representatives.

Thank you
The list of people I need to thank for their efforts is too long to begin, but I especially want to thank my family for their support. For those of you who haven’t heard, Crystal and I are expecting a baby girl in February — our first child — and now I’ll finally get to do all those household preparations I’ve been promising Crystal I’d get to as soon as the election was over.

I’d like to recognize my campaign staff and the summer Campaign Academy interns for their incredible hard work. Tuesday’s results were also a tribute to the hard work and excellent customer service provided by my staff at the Capitol, who are always available to help solve problems for the people of District 50.

Finally, I want to thank the hundreds of volunteers who made this victory possible. Supporters hosted house parties throughout the district, posted signs in their yards and stickers on their cars, and spread the word about the campaign to friends and neighbors. We had more than 200 enthusiastic volunteers greeting voters at the polls. Hundreds more knocked on doors and made phone calls in the preceding weeks and months.

To everyone who helped and everyone who cast their vote for me yesterday, thank you. I’m honored, and I will work as hard as I can to continue to deserve your support.

Yard signs
If you have a yard sign left over from the campaign, please feel free to keep it in your garage or attic until the next campaign season starts.

Once again, I appreciate the support so many of you have given me, and I look forward to serving you for another two years in the Texas House of Representatives.

Sincerely,

Mark Strama