It has been a journey for the last 18 months. I knew this would be an uphill battle and I was committed to running a campaign that was built from the ground up, focused on the people of Wisconsin. 

We were up against the National Dem Establishment and millions of dollars. I have to say I wasn't expecting the national dems to be my biggest opponent but I guess that is politics. We were up against almost 7 million dollars spent in this primary plus outside spending. We were up against early national endorsements. We were up against negative text messages from my opponent that spread misinformation about me and my family. 

AND YET we still built something amazing. Over 800 people signed up to volunteer, so many new voters got engaged, over 200 events throughout the district.  Collected 1400 signatures in 5 days to be first on the ballot. This campaign gave people hope...people told me that all the time. And we need hope to create change. 

Thank you to all my volunteers, supporters, voters, people who donated. What we did mattered. The energy we felt was real. 

Congratulations to Rebecca Cooke for winning the primary. I am going to take time to be with my family for the next few weeks and maybe longer. My daughter is heading off to college this fall and I look forward to spending time with her. I will also need to figure out how to rebuild my life after this experience. I have a lot to process that I haven't had time to process: finishing up 8 years on council, a pending empty nest for Mike and me, losing one of our cats (Marie), figuring out my counseling practice and I'm sure other things too.

But I will be around Eau Claire and I hope to see you all out and about. I am not giving up on you all. I care too much. I have your back, Wisconsin.

Love you all.

A Thank You From Emily Berge