I am sad by your decision not to run in 2024, but I understand. You were an amazing candidate and would have served everyone in the 21st CD in Congress. I wish you well in your future endeavors. Wishing you good health, prosperity and love!
Matt, supporting you and voting for you was a great honor and responsibility. You provided an important focus on what it means to be a "moderate" and how duty and democracy go together. Your service to the country and your service to democracy are inspiring. I appreciate your analysis of the race and we need, as non-Republicans, to build support in every district in the State. Thanks and look forward to staying in touch. Elliott Masie
Thank you for your hard work in an extremely difficult district. No one but you truly knows the hardship and sacrifices you endured, but I suspect they were considerable. It’s easy for me to say “don’t quit”. But. It is such a rarity to find your combination of qualities in a political candidate. I believe that you have what it takes to go as far as you would like, if you keep going. No unknown candidate had a chance against Stefanik’s war chest and national recognition. Your showing was impressive against her machine, and I believe you could win in a second pairing. We only see “tipping points” in hindsight, but I believe that a significant one is just around the corner in the Republican Party and the country. Stay in the arena. You will prevail. With gratitude, whatever you decide.
Matt, in reading your prior email.......it brings tears to my eyes. You are by no means, a quitter. You did fine against the "beast of burden" in the last election. Things will be a whole lot different in 2024. I know it is a draining process both physically and mentally when going up against one of the "henchmen" let alone her being the incumbent candidate. Please don't be a quitter and very thoughtfully consider running in 2024. Things will be different then. Mark my words on that one. John
Matt, I was thrilled to see a candidate who is intelligent, sane, reasonable, and truly caring. God bless you for trying. I'm not going to lie, the Republicans truly scare me with the vision they have for this country.
Thank you - for your commitment to our country and our Constitution. And as well to the people of NY-21.
You’ve given it your all! I appreciate your open sharing of lessons learned and they resonate with me.
I think you are right about all but one thing that you wrote. And that is, you ARE special. Very special. It’s one thing to have strong values and convictions, but you stood up for them. And extended yourself - not just in this campaign but in your life before this.
Matt, I'm the big, burly Special Forces guy that you met in Schoharie. You fought a great fight. You have the heart, soul and mind of a warrior. A warrior for the good of the Democracy. Thank you and your loved ones for the sacrifices that you and they made for us, the people. Please don't drop out of the political game entirely. You and your wisdom are needed.
Appreciate the fact that you gave it a go, Matt. I thought you were a great candidate and I felt the same about Tedra Cobb. As Jack Nicholson was told, “It’s Chinatown, Jake.” In this case, it’s upstate NY.
I’m a lifelong resident and remember being amazed when I found out there were Democrats outside of my family.
I’m also a realist. I’m seriously considering supporting Jill Lochner who’s primarying against Elise Stefanik. If a Democratic rep is impossible, then a sane Republican seems like the best alternative. I love irony and it would be the height of it if Republicans around the country started getting beaten by moderates as they’ve moved MAGAward to cover the extremist flank.
While I am strongly opposed to any gun ownership whatsoever (admittedly a radical and unconstitutional viewpoint), your pro second amendment stance made me believe you actually had a chance to win over the many gun lovers in our district. I contributed to your campaign (you had to refund me because I had exceeded the limit) because of what you said on campaign trail and my belief that you had a chance to prevail. You have laid the ground work for next cycle. Perhaps the party leadership will recognize your great potential. I think you should run again. Otherwise your campaign will have been a wasted effort. I realize the personal sacrifice you and your family have suffered, but we need you. I am just coming off of a trip to DC and Philadelphia to show my stepsons the sites of this country’s inception and current centers of power. I am reminded of the huge risks and sacrifices so many took to start this experiment in democracy and how fragile it is. I hope you reconsider your decision not to run again. Remember how often Lincoln lost. We need you.
I was soo excited to support your candidacy and so saddened at the result, having to call Stefanik my congresswoman. She is everything you described her as being and more. I emailed her regarding her lack of concern regarding gun violence. Her response was sickening-supporting a second amendment whose interpretation has been so blatantly misinterpreted by republicans.
I too was so disappointed in the behavior of the democrats in NY that made us lose the House. Wish I had the opportunity to support you again but hope that you will still be a much needed voice for NY State .
I agree with you, Matt: "But if Democrats want to win consistently, they have to abandon the all-or-nothing approach that turns underdog campaigns into self-fulfilling prophecies and instead do battle on every front by developing a measured approach to support for every campaign." I also agree with Kevin Robbins, below. We can chip away at the MAGA base by helping elect moderate "team normal" Republicans in areas where it's the most pragmatic thing to do, starting at the school board level.
Matt, You're exactly the kind of person/politician this country needs right now. Please consider running again. If your truck isn't up for another campaign trail, I'll donate my Prius :)
This well considered summary only reinforces the quality of your candidacy and sharpens the disappointment of your loss. The Democratic Party must embrace the 50 state policy when it comes to congressional elections if we ever hope to make inroads into rural America. While I respect your decision not to run again, your credentials, policy opinions and personality are the exact combination needed to overcome the increasing vitriol and empty substance of the Stefanik rhetoric. I’m tired of being characterized as an un-American, far left socialist who hates my country. How will my Republican friends and neighbors respect me when our most direct representative in Washington calls me names all the time? Your voice is the exact message that can bridge the divide and I hope you’ll reconsider your decision.
Your comments resonated with me. It's a tough district given the numbers of registered Republicans who fail to get what being a Republican means these days
I am sad by your decision not to run in 2024, but I understand. You were an amazing candidate and would have served everyone in the 21st CD in Congress. I wish you well in your future endeavors. Wishing you good health, prosperity and love!
Matt, supporting you and voting for you was a great honor and responsibility. You provided an important focus on what it means to be a "moderate" and how duty and democracy go together. Your service to the country and your service to democracy are inspiring. I appreciate your analysis of the race and we need, as non-Republicans, to build support in every district in the State. Thanks and look forward to staying in touch. Elliott Masie
Thank you for your hard work in an extremely difficult district. No one but you truly knows the hardship and sacrifices you endured, but I suspect they were considerable. It’s easy for me to say “don’t quit”. But. It is such a rarity to find your combination of qualities in a political candidate. I believe that you have what it takes to go as far as you would like, if you keep going. No unknown candidate had a chance against Stefanik’s war chest and national recognition. Your showing was impressive against her machine, and I believe you could win in a second pairing. We only see “tipping points” in hindsight, but I believe that a significant one is just around the corner in the Republican Party and the country. Stay in the arena. You will prevail. With gratitude, whatever you decide.
Matt, thank you for your service and sacrifice, your leadership and for running for office. Thank you for pushing this dialog. We appreciate you.
Matt, in reading your prior email.......it brings tears to my eyes. You are by no means, a quitter. You did fine against the "beast of burden" in the last election. Things will be a whole lot different in 2024. I know it is a draining process both physically and mentally when going up against one of the "henchmen" let alone her being the incumbent candidate. Please don't be a quitter and very thoughtfully consider running in 2024. Things will be different then. Mark my words on that one. John
Matt, I was thrilled to see a candidate who is intelligent, sane, reasonable, and truly caring. God bless you for trying. I'm not going to lie, the Republicans truly scare me with the vision they have for this country.
Matt -
Thank you - for your commitment to our country and our Constitution. And as well to the people of NY-21.
You’ve given it your all! I appreciate your open sharing of lessons learned and they resonate with me.
I think you are right about all but one thing that you wrote. And that is, you ARE special. Very special. It’s one thing to have strong values and convictions, but you stood up for them. And extended yourself - not just in this campaign but in your life before this.
I’m grateful to you - always will be.
Dekkers Davidson
Huletts Landing, NY
Matt, I'm the big, burly Special Forces guy that you met in Schoharie. You fought a great fight. You have the heart, soul and mind of a warrior. A warrior for the good of the Democracy. Thank you and your loved ones for the sacrifices that you and they made for us, the people. Please don't drop out of the political game entirely. You and your wisdom are needed.
God Bless and Keep you. DE OPPRESSO LIBER.
Appreciate the fact that you gave it a go, Matt. I thought you were a great candidate and I felt the same about Tedra Cobb. As Jack Nicholson was told, “It’s Chinatown, Jake.” In this case, it’s upstate NY.
I’m a lifelong resident and remember being amazed when I found out there were Democrats outside of my family.
I’m also a realist. I’m seriously considering supporting Jill Lochner who’s primarying against Elise Stefanik. If a Democratic rep is impossible, then a sane Republican seems like the best alternative. I love irony and it would be the height of it if Republicans around the country started getting beaten by moderates as they’ve moved MAGAward to cover the extremist flank.
Take care and good luck.
While I am strongly opposed to any gun ownership whatsoever (admittedly a radical and unconstitutional viewpoint), your pro second amendment stance made me believe you actually had a chance to win over the many gun lovers in our district. I contributed to your campaign (you had to refund me because I had exceeded the limit) because of what you said on campaign trail and my belief that you had a chance to prevail. You have laid the ground work for next cycle. Perhaps the party leadership will recognize your great potential. I think you should run again. Otherwise your campaign will have been a wasted effort. I realize the personal sacrifice you and your family have suffered, but we need you. I am just coming off of a trip to DC and Philadelphia to show my stepsons the sites of this country’s inception and current centers of power. I am reminded of the huge risks and sacrifices so many took to start this experiment in democracy and how fragile it is. I hope you reconsider your decision not to run again. Remember how often Lincoln lost. We need you.
I was soo excited to support your candidacy and so saddened at the result, having to call Stefanik my congresswoman. She is everything you described her as being and more. I emailed her regarding her lack of concern regarding gun violence. Her response was sickening-supporting a second amendment whose interpretation has been so blatantly misinterpreted by republicans.
I too was so disappointed in the behavior of the democrats in NY that made us lose the House. Wish I had the opportunity to support you again but hope that you will still be a much needed voice for NY State .
I agree with you, Matt: "But if Democrats want to win consistently, they have to abandon the all-or-nothing approach that turns underdog campaigns into self-fulfilling prophecies and instead do battle on every front by developing a measured approach to support for every campaign." I also agree with Kevin Robbins, below. We can chip away at the MAGA base by helping elect moderate "team normal" Republicans in areas where it's the most pragmatic thing to do, starting at the school board level.
Matt, You're exactly the kind of person/politician this country needs right now. Please consider running again. If your truck isn't up for another campaign trail, I'll donate my Prius :)
This well considered summary only reinforces the quality of your candidacy and sharpens the disappointment of your loss. The Democratic Party must embrace the 50 state policy when it comes to congressional elections if we ever hope to make inroads into rural America. While I respect your decision not to run again, your credentials, policy opinions and personality are the exact combination needed to overcome the increasing vitriol and empty substance of the Stefanik rhetoric. I’m tired of being characterized as an un-American, far left socialist who hates my country. How will my Republican friends and neighbors respect me when our most direct representative in Washington calls me names all the time? Your voice is the exact message that can bridge the divide and I hope you’ll reconsider your decision.
Your comments resonated with me. It's a tough district given the numbers of registered Republicans who fail to get what being a Republican means these days
You need to be much more PROGRESSIVE in many of you stances.