Team 11CD:
This is a difficult email to write. We’d begun drafting an update on yesterday’s election and information about remembrances of September 11 tomorrow. As we went to work preparing it, we learned that Charlie Kirk, founder to Turning Point USA and a champion of the conservative movement, was shot by a gunman at an event this afternoon at Utah Valley University. Police have detained a shooter and Kirk has been taken to a hospital. We don’t have more information than that. We are praying for him and we ask that you join us in praying for his healing and recovery and for his family and loved ones.
Sadly, our incredible candidate, Stewart Whitson, did not win yesterday. Although we hoped for a better outcome, James Walkinshaw won the fairly low turnout race by a three-to-one margin (105,000 votes to 35,000 votes). This was a great opportunity to change the direction in Northern Virginia, but voters did not want to take it.
From the bottom of my heart, I want to thank Stewart and his family for running. He was a tireless campaigner, and he infused us with enthusiasm and hope. Seeing so many red Whitson shirts at event after event in recent weeks speaks to how much Stewart inspired us all. Thank you to the many volunteers who stepped up to work shifts during Early Voting; on Back to School Nights; as Election Officers and Greeters; and in doorknocking and phonebanking. We even had a group of ladies come from Maryland to help. The energy and excitement of our volunteers was so much fun, which makes yesterday’s result even more heartbreaking.
The article linked here explains a big part of the problem. The Democrats spent $2.3 million on this Special Election. The RNC, NRCC (National Republican Congressional Committee), and other national Conservative organizations spent $0. We had a stellar candidate, who could have expanded our narrow Republican margin in Congress, but these groups chose not to step up. The Fairfax GOP and 11th Congressional District Committee spent thousands of dollars supporting Stewart’s campaign, and he put in countless hours fundraising, but we couldn’t match the influx of cash by the Democrats. Not an excuse – just a fact.
You can review Tuesday’s district and precinct voting results here.
Notwithstanding the disappointing results, 11CD Republicans should be proud of their effort. You stepped up in every way possible and we are truly grateful.
Stewart published a gracious and appreciative statement on X yesterday and we have republished it below. Stewart, his family, and his campaign did us proud.
The tragedy of September 11, 2001 took place 24 years ago, and it remains vital that we remember that day–the victims, the heroic rescuers, the first responders. Please join your neighbors at a special Remembrance Ceremony at the Great Falls Freedom Memorial tomorrow, Thursday, September 11, at 7:00pm. The memorial is located behind the Great Falls Library, 9830 Georgetown Pike, in Great Falls. The keynote speaker will be Marc H. Sasseville, Lt. General, U.S. Air Force (retired). On the morning of the 9-11 attacks, he was one of four pilots given the mission of finding United Airlines Flight 93 and destroying it.
