November 7, 2012

Good afternoon,

I know you are probably as disappointed as I am today with the outcome of last night’s Presidential Election. When we work so hard and sacrifice so much for something we strongly believe in and come up short, it’s very tough. I am convinced that South Carolina Republicans did all we could to help our Republican team win not only here in South Carolina but across the United States.

With your help, our South Carolina Republican Party added to its conservative majorities in the South Carolina House and Senate and we won most of our targeted races. And for the first time in history, South Carolina has SIX Republican Congressmen after Tom Rice’s great win. That’s a testament to your hard work and leadership!

It’s clear that President Obama won a second term without any kind of mandate for his failed policies. He is our President and we respect the office, but our Party will continue to offer conservative solutions to the policies that have led us to massive debt, anemic growth, and 23 million Americans struggling to find work.

Please join me in making sure that this message and our principles do not get lost in the aftermath of Governor Romney’s defeat. Republicans now control 30 of 50 governor’s offices nationally and we’ve made in-roads in blue states. Our Republican Party can and will regain the White House in 2016!

I am simply speechless and humbled by all of your efforts and hard work this year. Our 2012 Victory efforts were unprecedented in scope and participation. Over 1,400 of you volunteered as “Palmetto Patriots” and stepped forward to make 500,000 phone calls, knock on tens of thousands of doors, walk neighborhoods, and donate your hard-earned money to our cause.

From the lady who volunteered because her Sunday School teacher upset her by praising President Obama’s policies, to the 100+ Citadel Republican Society cadets who went to Virginia, to the volunteers who walked neighborhoods and made phone calls all across South Carolina – you ALL poured your hearts out like never before! I am truly proud to be a South Carolina Republican.

Thank you is simply not good enough, but THANK YOU. There will be lots of discussion and debate going forward, but please keep the faith that the South Carolina Republican Party will lead the way in defining and representing the conservatism that works and has worked for generations. It can again make America the most prosperous nation in the history of the world.

While it is sad that so many Americans have voted for European-style, “trickle down” big government, God is still on HIS throne and I still believe that HE has this nation in the palm of HIS hands. Together, we will move forward and restore our nation’s promise.

Thank you and God bless you!

Chad Connelly
Chairman, South Carolina Republican Party