Burnt Orange Report says thanks to Chris Bell

Top Row: Kids with Bell signs
2nd Row: Commissioner Tommy Adkisson & Bell, Bell & State Rep. Joe Farias
3rd Row: Farias family & Chris Bell, Balcones Heights Councilman Steve Walker & Chris Bell
4th Row: Ciro Rodriguez & Chris Bell, Bell & State Senator Carlos Uresti
5th Row: Bell & Dawn Larios & Sam Jimenez
6th Row: Chris & Patsy Noll
7th Row: Chris & Allison Bell. Chris & Bexar County Democratic Party Chair Carla Vela

Thank You, Chris Bell
by: Burnt Orange Report
Mon Nov. 13th

Dear Chris Bell,

Thank you for standing up to fight. In a year when almost no one gave Democrats a chance, you announced your candidacy for Governor of the state of Texas. Critics said you were wasting your time, and many "elders" of the Democratic Party refused to ever begin to help you, choosing instead to wring their hands from the sidelines.

You didn't care. You knew there were problems too great to leave unchallenged and issues too serious to ignore. So you did what you've always done: you stood up and fought. For over a year, you waged a war on Democratic apathy and cyncism -- an opponent greater and stronger than any political counterpart you faced throughout the election.

The inclusion of independent candidates Carole Strayhorn and Richard Friedman sent Democratic dollars to Strayhorn, and Democratic youth support to Friedman.

For months, you were "that Democrat" running, and few ever gave you any kind of a chance. Did it shake you? No. You still stood up and fought for what you believed in.

You remained strong, talking about issues to every Texan you could, fighting an uphill battle no one believed you could ever win. And yet, you won countless battles along the way -- battles some may still not realize you won.

You stood up and fought, and won a battle on issue after issue. On education, your presence in the Governor's Race forced everyone to re-examine the high stakes nature of standardized testing.

On health care, you moved the debate about children's health care from legislative committee rooms to Texans' living rooms, and single-handedly brought the increasingly important stem cell issue to this year's election.

The work you and others did concerning our state parks will lead to a tremendous increase in Texas Parks and Wildlife funding next session, and your outspoken passion for ethics reform guaranteed no politician could dodge the question of corrupt campaigning.

On these and dozens of other important issues, you made a difference. Then came October. You proved to the papers and the public what you'd proved to us long before: issues, intelligence, and ideas matter.

You flew past Strayhorn and Friedman, and established yourself as the clear opposition to Governor Perry and his failed policies. You were a leader for the Texas Democratic Party -- one who made all of us very proud.

Though you came up short of the ultimate victory on Election Day, the battles you won will be seen in the upcoming legislative session. Your presence at the top of our ticket helped in numerous down-ballot races, and in a year when Democrats won back five state House seats and all of Dallas County, that presence cannot be minimized or ignored. It can and must only be celebrated.

Thank you for standing up to fight.

Thank you for believing in and talking about the issues that matter to Texas families. Thank you for showing Democrats that no matter what the odds, no matter what the pundits tell you, you must always stand up and fight. It's the only way we can ever hope to change anything. It's the only way we can help move Texas forward.

Thank you, Chris Bell. May you and your family enjoy some much deserved rest, and we wish you the best in all that you do.

Sincerely, The Writers of the Burnt Orange Report