Thank you for your support!

Dear Friends,

Thank you for your support, encouragement, and for all your help on our campaign for Allegheny County Chief Executive. While, I certainly was disappointed to have lost the race, I was even more disappointed that Allegheny County voter turnout was only 27% (only 24% stateside). When a candidate is facing a more the 2:1 voter disadvantage, as we were, the only path to victory is an increased turnout (Jim Roddey, the only Republican to win, had 40+% vote and he won by a narrow margin). The low turnout made the results look one-sided since just the base voted and the base essentially has the 2:1 voter disadvantage.

As a CEO for the past 19 years, I am conditioned to lead by example and in particular ensuring integrity in words and, more importantly, actions. I learned that perhaps this isn’t an advantage in electoral politics, particularly when you run against someone who is willing to say and do whatever in order to win. A case in point is the “bait and switch” by my opponent on property taxes; less than one week after the election he is supporting a 20+% increase in property taxes. He did this despite running on a platform of holding the line on property taxes and even suggesting that he would lower these taxes. Here is a link: http://www.politicspa.com/raja-was-right-sort-of. I ran for office because I believed the citizens deserved better than someone who will say one thing to get elected and do another once in office.

I am not deterred in my interest to make Allegheny County all that I know it can be. I will continue to remain active and involved. In fact, the local media has continued to be in contact with me with regard to policies and issues in our region and I hope to continue to send out updates. Once again, thanks for all your wonderful contributions to my campaign. I wish you and your families a very happy thanksgiving.

Thanks.

Raja