We Had a Feeling This Could Happen

Dear Supporters, Thank you to everyone who supported our campaign, volunteered, donated, and believed in our vision for CA-23. While this isn't the outcome we hoped for, I'm incredibly proud of the work we did together. Our movement has always been about standing up for working people, for justice, and for a fair and inclusive future—and that fight doesn't end here. I know many of us are feeling the weight of this moment. We've all felt it building for a while. A lot of people thought we had it in the bag, but I want to be real honest with you: We had a feeling this could happen. Every four years, rural America decides the fate of our country, yet somehow, we always seem to forget that. Democrats across the country have abandoned rural districts like my own. Republicans came in and took advantage of it. This election was a result of that negligence. Let me be real with you: times might get tough, and yeah, we all saw how Trump split us in ways we're still trying to fix. But running this campaign has shown me something I want you all to remember—we're not as divided as they'd like us to believe. Most of us just want a fair shot at an easier life. To Jay Obernolte, I congratulate you on your victory, and I hope we can find common ground on the issues that matter to us all. Rural America is where our country's biggest challenges collide—homelessness, addiction, crime—all symptoms of a lack of resources and support. And while we're caught in these cycles, my commitment to this district remains strong. During this campaign, we've partnered with local groups to tackle addiction, collaborated with nonprofits to provide mutual aid, and invested tens of thousands of dollars into a community that urgently needed jobs. I cannot turn my back on what we have started here. I'll keep working alongside our community to make sure every voice is heard and represented. I'm taking a bit of a break to figure out my next steps, but I'll leave you with this: Don't let this moment divide you. Don't drown in despair or get lost in the noise. Reach out to each other, listen to each other. This is a step forward—for all of us who are ready to keep fighting for real solutions, for justice, and for each other. It's time to organize. With gratitude, Derek Marshall     Donate Now Derek Marshall is a Democrat running for Congress in California's 23rd District. He's running to bring the folks of the high desert & mountains together for a more livable life. Pitch in to his campaign here. To donate by check, please mail to: Derek Marshall for Congress P.O. Box 2836 Victorville, CA 92395 Twitter | Facebook | Instagram Paid for by Derek Marshall for Congress Sent via ActionNetwork.org. To update your email address, change your name or address, or to stop receiving emails from Derek Marshall for Congress, please click here.