By Will Lathrop
Dear Oregon,
I’m really disappointed to have lost the race because I know that I could have helped. I have been overwhelmingly blessed with an ocean of support from across the state. A lot of people were generous with their time and money, and I carry the weight of their disappointment as well. I genuinely believed that I could bring positive change as Attorney General and that I was more qualified than my opponent. Nonetheless, I also believe in democracy, where the people ultimately decide. And, the majority of Oregonians trust Dan Rayfield to do the job.
Under the cloud of natural disappointment, I am finding a lot of reasons to be thankful. I got the opportunity to work with a really talented team that believed in me and what I was trying to do. I got to meet incredible people all over our state and see cities and towns I did not know existed. I was privileged to work closely with my mother, Annette Lathrop, for the first time in my adult life. And, surprisingly, the stress and chaotic nature of campaigning brought me closer together with my wife and son.
In elections, there are no moral victories – you either win and get the job, or lose and get nothing. However, it would feel neglectful if I didn’t acknowledge a few notable team accomplishments. We were able to raise more money than any Republican down ballot candidate in history, and we also set the record for money raised in an Attorney General race (and my money came from Oregon). We received around 80 law enforcement endorsements, the support of crime victims, businesses, and agriculture. We visited all 36 counties – we won all but nine of them. Our statewide grassroots campaign with postcards, social media, texts and email blasts, roundtables, meet and greets, neighborhood associations, and phone banking was strong, innovative, and well received. Our communications program was excellent. Finally, we garnered just under 47% of the vote, which has only been done a few times by a Republican in a statewide campaign in the last 15 years. By the time all votes are counted, I will have earned more votes than any other Republican in Oregon’s history.
In my original mission statement, written more than a year ago, I expressed my commitment to hold to what is true, to dedicate this campaign to acknowledging and protecting victims of crime, and to work toward unity across party lines. Those desires never changed. It is in that spirit that I offer my full support to Dan Rayfield who will be our next Attorney General. In the strategic and ideological warfare of political campaigns, it is commonplace to dehumanize the opponent – to magnify their flaws and failures, and minimize their giftings and accomplishments. This race was no different. Now that I am on the other side and the cannon smoke has cleared, I want to acknowledge that Dan is an accomplished lawyer and legislator. He has been polite and affable to me from the beginning. I am convinced that he wants to do his part to protect the state from drug trafficking and online exploitation of children. I offer him my prayers and I wish him great success.
I will conclude by remarking that many times throughout the course of the campaign I said to myself “who am I that these people would so earnestly welcome and support me? Who am I that God would call me for a journey such as this?” I really hate losing and I really hate letting people down. However, I have been loved and supported throughout this campaign more than a ‘nobody from nowhere’ like me could dream to deserve. I don’t know what is next for me and my family, but I will be praying for the next opportunity to serve.
I am grateful, forever grateful.
Will Lathrop