New Smyrna Beach, FL - Congresswoman-elect Suzanne Kosmas (FL-24) addressed supporters tonight in New Smyrna Beach, FL. Below are her remarks as prepared for delivery.
Thank you all for being here tonight to share this celebration.
First I want to thank my family - my four children and their families, along with my grandchildren, who have supported me unconditionally - by sharing their enthusiasm, their time, and their love in so many ways.
They never let me lose sight of the value of running in this race - the opportunity to build a better future by directly participating in the process and by providing a real choice for voters in our district.
To all of you who have been part of this campaign from its earliest days - all the volunteers - and those of you who graciously welcomed me into your homes and offered assistance in countless ways - thank you for all that you have done. I sincerely appreciate your vote of confidence, your dedication, and your generosity.
I also must thank my opponent, Congressman Feeney. I spoke with him earlier tonight and thanked him for his service on behalf of our district and the state over the past years. He sends his congratulations to our entire team.
Over 13 months ago, we came together because we shared a common belief - a belief in the fundamental greatness of our American democracy and a belief that it could be better. A belief that we could come together as a community and as a nation to refocus our energies on the shared priorities that bind us as Americans. A belief that these priorities are so much more important than partisanship, polarization, politics or power.
You all know what these priorities are - a strong economy, a good education, job opportunities, a clean environment, health care, and energy independence. These priorities must be at the center of what happens in Washington.
Tonight I commit to you that I will be an independent voice in Washington focused on the people of this district - not on any political party. I believe that we won this race because voters whether Democrat, Republican or Independent have placed their faith in this common-sense, bi-partisan commitment.
We also came together over a year ago because we understand and value the notion that the foundation and strength of our democracy depends on its operating within the parameters of some core, basic values - they are the same values that we teach our children and our grandchildren - integrity, accountability, and responsibility.
Those values, along with respect for our country, were instilled in me and in my family by my father. You may have heard me say that he was the most honest man I ever knew. You might also recall my story about how he shared some words of wisdom with me just before his death - he told me never to go into politics.
But I know that if he were here tonight, he would share in our celebration and celebrate the opportunity to be part of and play a role in the greatest democracy in the world. And that he would share in the enthusiastic and optimistic hope that we will come together as a nation and embrace our shared vision for a bright future in which we are domestically strong and globally respected.
And a future in which our children and their children will know that we have been responsible enough to provide them with an American in which they can be proud and in which they can thrive.
I am honored and humbled for the trust that you have placed in me to be part of that vision. Thank you.
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