A thank you – but hopefully not a goodbye – to Rep. @AllenWest

You’ve probably already seen this, but in case you hadn’t, Rep. West conceded to Patrick Murphy today, effectively ending his re-election bid:

For two weeks since Election Day, we have been working to ensure every vote is counted accurately and fairly.Β  We have made progress towards that goal, thanks to the dedication of our supporters and their unrelenting efforts to protect the integrity of the democratic process.Β  While many questions remain unanswered, today I am announcing that I will take no further action to contest the outcome of this election.

While there are certainly still inaccuracies in the results, and the actions of the St. Lucie County and Palm Beach County Supervisors of Elections rightly raise questions in my mind and for many voters, after much analysis and this past weekend’s recount in St. Lucie County, our legal team does not believe there are enough over-counted, undercounted or fraudulent votes to change the outcome of the election.

While a contest of the election results might have changed the vote totals, we do not have evidence that the outcome would change.Β  Given the extremely high evidentiary hurdles involved in a successful challenge, I will not ask my generous supporters to help fund a drawn-out, expensive legal effort with little chance of success. Therefore, we will not contest the certification or challenge the seating of Congressman-elect Murphy.

Serving the people in the House of Representatives has been among the highest honors of my life, but this seat does not belong to me, or for that matter, to any individual. Β It belongs to the people.

West has served his country honorably, both on the battlefield and off of it. Β  Β There is not a politically correct bone in his body. Β I admired his candor and his dedication to telling the truth, no matter how “offensive” it was to the political opposition. I also loved the fact that he refused to falsely play the race card against his opponents, unlike most of his fellow Congressional colleagues in the US House. Β  He liked to rock the boat, because he know that was one of the few ways he could get people, including his fellow Congressional reps, talking about issues that really matter. He was, frankly, a breath of fresh air in an endless sea of status quo faces.

I hope his concession doesn’t mean this is the last we’ve heard from him. I think he’d have a great future as a commentator, speaker, writer — Β a motivator to conservatives. Β I remember how he electrified the crowd at CPAC in 2011 when he gave the closing address. Β We need more of that, especially as conservatives and the GOP continue to “regroup” after the disappointing 2012 election.

If you have a moment, please take the time to send him a thank you via Β his Congressional website,Β or post a note to him at his Facebook page and/or his Twitter page.

May God bless both him and his family.

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