Former president Barack Obama, left, and Richard Cordray, Obama's former D.C
consumer watchdog and an unsuccessful 2018 Democratic candidate
for Ohio governor
Letter below from Richard Cordray, 2018 Democratic gubernatorial candidate in Ohio,
a letter sent Friday, December 14, 2018 via email (Editor's note: A former consumer
watchdog with the Obama administration and a former Ohio attorney general, Cordray
urges fellow Democrats to begin preparing for the 2020 presidential election. Cordray
lost close race for governor in November 2018 against Mike DeWine, a Republican and former
Ohio Attorney General and former United States Senator. In September of 2018, Obama
Dear [supporter],
I've been spending the last month collecting my thoughts on the past year and wanted
to share some of them with you.
Thank you for all your help in what was an amazing and memorable campaign. From the
whirlwind of its beginnings, through a summer of festivals and rallies, to an autumn
of running on adrenaline right up to election night, we gave it our all. I could not
have had a better partner in [lieutenant governor candidate] Betty Sutton, who is a strong woman, an outstanding public servant, and now a lifelong friend. And I could not have had better teammates
than all of you, who kept us going, pulled us along, and shared the road with us
every step of the way. I feel a sense of awe at all the things people did to boost
our campaign this year.
When you are defeated, it feels stunningly empty, because our politics is
winner-take-all. But we accomplished much that is lasting: we pushed key debates
forward on health care, the opioid crisis, protecting the environment, reducing gun
violence, reforming education, and spreading economic opportunity throughout Ohio.
We advocated strongly for a more forward-looking, progressive state, and we changed
many hearts and minds in Ohio.
And there is plenty that gives us reason for optimism about future campaigns. In
only eleven months, we raised $20 million, showing that Democrats in Ohio can match
a strong message with strong resources. We worked with our partners across the state
to knock on millions of doors and make millions of phone calls. We turned out a huge
number of voters, receiving well over 2 million votes, the fourth highest total ever
in an Ohio governor's race. Sherrod Brown won, and so did our two fine Supreme Court
candidates. People are debating whether Ohio has become a red state, but it hasn't.
The enthusiasm is here and it is growing. Much can be accomplished when good people
are steadfast and remain willing to work together for change.
We all care deeply about this state, about this country, and about each other. We
care deeply about the tone and direction of our politics. We all need to stay
engaged because a better Ohio and a better America are worth it. And, ready or not,
the 2020 elections are right around the corner.
For myself, I am taking the opportunity to enjoy some time with Peggy, and with
Danny and Holly who will be home soon for the holidays. (And--of course!--with
Tucker.) In between, I'm working on a book about my time at the Consumer Bureau to
tell its story and provide a roadmap for restoring it to its full mission. I'm also
reflecting quite a lot on the many ways in which individuals like you gave of your
time, your financial support, your ideas, and your good will.
I am filled with gratitude and appreciation for all of you who made it part of your
life to join in the campaign this year. Thank you!
Yours,
Rich [Cordray]
PAID FOR BY CORDRAY/SUTTON COMMITTEE
.jpeg)
Comments