I AM NOT A SERVANT OF POLITICS. I AM A SERVANT OF DOING WHAT’S RIGHT.

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Thank you to my intrepid campaign team for your smart, strong, fearless and ethical work: Kolby Monnig, Campaign Manager, Stephanie Fitzharris, Communications Director and Paul Theobald, Field Operations Director. You ran a brilliant, innovative, amazing campaign.

Thank you to Pius Wong, my ingenious webmaster, Carlos Salazar, David Reyes and Rachel Piotrzkowski, my inspired and inspiring photographers, and Damion White and Tammy Talpas, my gifted graphic artists. You are talented, generous, incredible artisans.

Our campaign was a way to do good. And we did. Our campaign inspired. It connected. It included. It healed. It renewed. It entertained. It educated. It soared.

I am proud of it. I am proud of you.

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In his book, Awakenings, Mark Nepo writes: In India, there is a story about a kind, quiet man who would pray in the Ganges River every morning. One day after praying, he saw a poisonous spider struggling in the water and cupped his hands to carry it ashore. As he placed the spider on the ground, it stung him. Unknowingly, his prayers for the world diluted the poison.

The next day the same thing happened. On the third day, the kind man was knee deep in the river, and sure enough, there was the spider, legs frantic in the water. As the man went to lift the creature yet again, the spider said, "Why do you keep lifting me? Can't you see I will sting you every time, because that is what I do." And the kind man cupped his hands about the spider, replying, "Because that is what I do."

There are many reasons to be kind, but perhaps none is as compelling as the spiritual fact that it is what we do. It is how the inner organ of being keeps pumping. Spiders sting. Wolves howl. Ants build small hills that no one sees. And human beings lift each other, no matter the consequence. Even when other beings sting.

Some say this makes us a sorry lot that never learns, but to me it holds the same beauty as berries breaking through ice and snow every spring. It is what quietly feeds the world. After all, the berries do not have any sense of purpose or charity. They are not altruistic, or self-sacrificing. They simply grow to be delicious because that is what they do.

As for us, if things fail, we will reach for them. If things break, we will try to put them together. If loved ones cry, we will try to soothe them - because that is what we do. I have often reached out, and sometimes it feels like a mistake. Sometimes, like the quiet man lifting the spider, I have been stung. But it doesn't matter, because that is what I do. That is what we do. It is the reaching out that is more important than the sting.

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We do good because that is what we do. Not for power. Not for attention. Not for status. Not for gratitude. Not for ego.

Opportunities to do good exist every day that extend beyond the sphere of politics. Of course, I would have preferred to continue our campaign; however, I will continue to do good because that is what I do. That is what you do. That is what we do.

I want to extend my heartfelt thanks to the elected officials, community leaders and political organizations that supported me through your endorsements, guidance and friendship: Travis County Commissioner Karen Huber, Hays County Commissioner Karen Ford, Circle C Area Democrats, ATX Dem Vets, Texas Humane Legislation Network (THLN), PDA-CenTex, Yellow Dawg Democrats, David Holmes, Ed Scruggs, Lou McCreary, Bob and Connie Sheldon, Judy Donohue, Tiffany McMillan, Greg Choban, Carrie Collier Brown, Beth Buyse, Mayor Kenneth Beck, Nell Penridge and many more.

To cousin Josh Brener and dearest friend Jim Spencer, thank you for sharing the scorching spotlight of your searing talent on our behalf.

To Super Volunteers Carl Jones, Jo Ann Richmond, Linda Wiles, Michelle Mangis Strmiska, Marcy Baird, Jessica Clinton, Sonja Powell, Thomas and Beth Just, Aradhana Suresh, Lee Lundin, Kyle Monnig, Martha Kubala, Marilyn Galloway, Anita Mapes, Lynda Wilson Jones, Lisa Kriger Anderson, and so many others, thank you for working your heart out for something you believed in. You honor me with your hard work and faith in me.

Thank you to everyone who donated. We worked hard to use your precious gifts wisely and for the most impact.

Thank you to my family, my parents Paul and Beverly Labovitz, my sister Kaylee Soltes Russell, my brother George Soltes and my cousins Karen Soltes, Richard Soltes, Steve Bercu and Sharon Brener. I leaned on you throughout the last year more than ever, and it was great! Your love, encouragement and willingness to just listen renewed me daily.

I dedicate my campaign to William Townsley, respected trial lawyer, father of my best friend from law school Erin Kathleen Townsley and Yellow Dawg Democrat.

Bill struggled with cancer over the last few months. Friday, March 2, on the last day of early voting, Kathleen called me and told me Bill was not going to make it through the day. She said that he wanted to make sure he voted for me by mail and that his family got the ballot into the mail in time for it to count in the election.

Bill, I will carry your vote in my heart forever.

— Sheri Soltes