Rick Waugh for Congress
Be Progressive!
Fellow Supporters:
As I look at the embarrassment of what I call the decade-old experiment of Eric Cantor attempting to lead, I am ever more aware that we Seventh District Democrats do not have the luxury of internal dissension. We need to pull together, to lay the foundation for the 2012 campaign! In the aftermath of the 2010 race for the Seventh Congressional District seat, many things took place once the smoke had settled.
Soon after I announced in December my hope to run again for 2012, my family was threatened and my home was burglarized. The police don't know who did it, and I don't either. It may have had nothing to do with politics. But I was upset, and I was also angry and frustrated about a barrage of criticism of me from other Democrats. In that angry state, I made some ill-considered statements about some of the people who had worked on my campaign. I particularly regret having made certain statements that called into question the honesty of Brian Umana, my campaign manager. I should not have stooped to the level of those who were impugning my own honesty.
So let me be clear. During the campaign, Brian Umana was not merely a campaign manager – he led the staff, he oversaw work in twelve counties and in the City of Richmond, he recruited donors and volunteers, he helped write some of my policy speeches and position papers -- and he did this with only the small fraction of the budget we had aimed for. Brian worked hard for my election, and he worked hard to advance the cause of Democratic politics in the Seventh Congressional District. There is much work for all of us to do, and my statements did not help the cause – for that I apologize. I am also sorry if my statements caused any pain to Brian. I am writing this letter to make sure everyone knows where I stand regarding my staff –they worked hard for the Democratic cause in 2010, and they have my thanks (and, I hope, yours) for that work.
Since the campaign ended, I have taken a new job to be able to feed and support my family. The work I do now is beneficial to the community as well as the welfare of my family. I do not have, nor will I have, the ability to financially support my family and run for Congress again in 2012. Therefore, I will not be a candidate in 2012 as you and I had hoped.
The Corporatist leadership of Eric Cantor has reminded us of what is at stake in our political battles, and of why we Progressives must work together. We must work to be united and fight the good fight of helping our neighbor - it's the American way, and it is the only way we will survive as a nation. We must make politics work for our community, not the politician or those who are in power. This morning, I know I have done the right thing. And as I have done throughout the campaign, I know I have done everything, and risked everything, trying to make politics work for the people of this District.
It is not too early to be thinking about what we have to do to win this Seventh District seat. I pledge to focus on the progressive principles that unite us rather than on egos and recriminations that divide us. I hope my candidacy provided insight into the political games of all those in power, and how we MUST unite with real progressives, working together to achieve progress. I hope that you will join in focusing on the effort that lies ahead. Remember, don't vote for a party,...vote for a progressive!
Thank you for your support, and I hope to stay in touch with each and every one of you.
Your progressive friend and grassroots activist…..
Rick Waugh
