Gregg County Democrats

A Message from Duane Shaw to You - March 11, 2006

When I started this campaign, I did so with the full knowledge that the road to victory for the People of East Texas would be a long and arduous one, fraught with pitfalls and disappointments along the way. Like our ancestors of old, I went forward into an unknown territory. I never ran for public office before but honestly spoke of the issues that concern all of us with solutions for those issues. Although my opponent spoke of his dislike for gays, women, special interests groups, lobbyists and attorneys of which I am one, I chose to keep my campaign clean, sticking to the issues. If I were to run the campaign over again, I would run it the same way. During our campaign I received a total of $750.00 from contributions, used my own money and borrowed money from friends and family. Contrary to my opponent's claims, I had no special interests money upon whom to rely. On March 7, the People of East Texas made their decision at the polls. The race was close but we lost by a little over 1,000 votes.I want to take this opportunity, to thank all of my supporters during these troubling times our nation is facing. It is people like you that will help keep our nation strong and our Constitution a living document that will continue to amaze the world with its ability to expand and contract with the changes of society and the demands of the world. We are not finished by this defeat but are made stronger by it and our dedication to a cause bigger than ourselves will never die as long as people like you continue the good fight. Let me remind all that one defeat does not mean the war is lost. We have only to look to our State and National histories to know this is so. We will return with a vigor unmatched before and we will learn from the mistakes that we made. As I now decide upon my future, I will remember fondly the friends that I have made along the way, the support I received, and the lessons I have learned.I also want to thank my family for their support during this trying time. Elections have a way of keeping one from those that they love for what they perceive as the good of the country. Recognizing that you love me for putting the People's needs first, your sacrifice is closer to my heart than you will ever realize. So thank you for being my family, thank you for your love and thank you for your support. And finally thank you for being there when victory was so close. I could never achieve anything without Providence and your love and I'm a very lucky man to have it.Now, I have been asked many times now about a delicate matter concerning supporting my opponent in the general election now that he has won the primary. What I have to say, may be considered "sour grapes" by some but since I strive for honesty in all my endeavors, I would fail my Maker, my Family, myself and the voters for not mentioning it regardless of what others might think. My opponent, Roger L. Owen, who has not been in Texas very long, now wants my vote and support. Since the election, there have certain things said about this man's past in Florida, which have now been verified by others, and which he purposely kept from the voters during the primary to gain support. If he had nothing to hide, why didn't he inform the public of his past? Instead he perpetrated a fraud on the people by his silence. Unfortunately, the election laws which would prevent him for running for a Texas office do not prevent him from running for federal office. Luckily he is currently under investigation. Therefore, while I am certain that some party members and others will attack me for not openly supporting this man and showing Party unity, I cannot, in good conscience, support a man who, in my opinion, is not fit to run for the office he seeks. I have worked in the Democratic Party since before I was old enough to vote. I love this Party and the ideals for which it stands. Please understand that for the love of the People and the Party I can not support someone if it would not be in their mutual best interest. I urge each of you to seek the truth in this man before supporting him and to let your conscience be your guide.Once again, I thank all of you for your support and may God bless and keep you and the United States of America