Team Skoch:

As the sun rises on "The Day After," it appears we have fallen short of our goal of being the Republican nominee for the U.S. House of Representatives Arkansas' 3rd District. While we are of course disappointed at the apparent election results, we are in no way disappointed in the amazing success of our campaign in so many ways.

Nine months ago, we challenged a multiple-term incumbent because we were then--as we are now--gravely concerned about the direction of our nation. With a handful of people and scarcely few financial resources, our campaign grew into a significant force for shaping the dialogue of the entire race. As of this morning, it appears our vote count is solidly in the upper half of the field of eight candidates, and a minuscule two percentage points out of the run-off opportunity we sought.

Even more significantly, though, is the group of people who have come together in support of this campaign to wrest control of our political process from the politicians. Virtually every opponent in our race has commented on the "zealousness," "enthusiasm," "energy," "passion," "outspokenness," of you: Team Skoch.

Of the hundred or so candidate events our amazing campaign manager Susie Doerr and I attended, there was not one--not a single one--in which our supporters weren't the most visible, energetic, and downright rowdy of any candidate's. At one particularly notable forum on the distant southern front of the 3rd District (in an opponent's home town) a flustered opponent, asked a challenging question on stage, responded with "This would be a lot easier to answer if I had all the support here tonight that General Skoch does." At another event, responding to a comment that an opponent had "all the billboard advertising in the District," that opponent responded "But Skoch has all the people." Even yesterday--election day--as Susie and I made our way to as many polling places of the District as we could drive, it was Skoch supporters who out-numbered and out-cheered all others at polling places. And the attendance at our watch party last night drew "Wow," and "This attendance is amazing" comments from the television media who attended.

We have heard directly from hundreds of supporters who came to know of our campaign not from our media campaign, but from direct contact with you and those whom you "converted." Even in obscure rural corners of the District we have seen yard signs, bumper stickers, and other direct evidence of your hard work. As we have walked the streets, we have heard from so many people that they were already committed to supporting our candidacy because you worked so long and so hard to spread the word.

This campaign was the direct result of amazing effort by a truly grassroots group of special Americans. Our entire campaign was a volunteer effort. Of the money so generously donated by so many of you, not one dollar went to salaries, fund-raising fees, or consultant fees; it all went to direct printing, media, or other direct costs. Our television ads, radio spots, and unique "rap video" (which drew so much attention) were all done as labors of the heart by you.

As I mentioned at our watch party last night, this campaign is not over. We hope you will stay tuned for a major announcement we will make on May 31st. I promise you it will be an opportunity for all of us to build on the great work we all did in this campaign, and our effort to return government to the people.

May God bless each of you, and may God bless America.

Bernie Skoch

1 - Gun Rights

2 - Marriage

3 - Cap and Trade

4 - Abortion

5 - Health Care

6 - Taxes

7 - ENDA

8 - Oil

9 - Terrorism

10 - Balanced Budget Amendment

11 - Illegal Immigrants

12 - Legislation Goals

13 - Health Care Reform

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Fayetteville, AR, April 28, 2010—Brigadier General (USAF, Ret.) Bernie Skoch, Republican candidate for the U.S. House of Representatives, issued the following statement today regarding the results of the Washington County Tea Party 3rd Congressional District straw poll. In the poll, Bernie Skoch received 86% of the Tea Party votes cast, obviating the need for a run-off vote. The two closest competitors each received seven percent of the votes cast.