A final sign off on this campaign that is definitely coming far too early.

First, I was honored to have the endorsement of Slade Gorton in this race. His example, leadership and dedication to our state will be very missed. Today I shared my condolences to his close friend of 65 years, Dan Evans, who I also thank for his support.

It was great to have won the top Republican spot for Lieutenant Governor, but the sting of the crowded right field, after it unexpectedly became an open seat, keeping me out of the top 2 only firms my commitment to keep talking about relevant issues like homelessness, public safety, addiction and mental health.

Receiving the Washington Farm Bureau endorsement even though I wasn’t a farmer was fantastic and I was grateful to be able to speak about their issues from Seattle’s urban consumer setting. Not receiving the Washington Women’s Caucus endorsement, despite being the only viable woman in the race, only highlighted the extreme far left stance of a state group disguised as being for all women. I am thankful for so many Republican leaders’ and elected officials’ endorsements, supporting me in the midst of Seattle to stand up and refuse to follow the far left to the edge of the cliff.

I’ve been asked by many supporters about a write-in campaign. In our state decades ago, our legislature enacted a “sore loser statute.” Such a statute is to prevent a candidate who loses in a party primary from declaring to be independent or joining another party and filing as a write-in candidate for the general election. In Washington now though, the top 2 vote getters move on to the general election regardless of party. Does that seem how the law should work if I wasn’t changing anything? Maybe that’s not how it should be in our very unique top 2 system. Nonetheless, it’s the current law.

Thank you to the hundreds of thousands of voters from around Washington who voted for me. Thank you to those who supported the message of this campaign. Our state’s need for political balance is still critical and glaringly obvious. It is not the time to retreat and move away. Stay civically engaged. Because I intend to be. #StayEngaged #KeepUpTheFight