November 8, 2016 - While the mainstream media, the majority of the country's population, and the world focused on who the next President of the United States would be, I had my eyes on a race a little closer to home.
I voted. Of course, I voted! How could I not? This election, for so many reasons was a wildfire of opportunity and change. However, this change, these opportunities, were not solely with the position of POTUS but with so many other public offices.
Someday, someone will ask, "Where were you on Election Day 2016?"
I'll happily say I was surrounded by friends, family, and friends who might as well be family - waiting not only for the election results of my country's next president, but also, my Ohio district's next Senator, Frank Hoagland. A man who I know my life would not be the same without.
Someone who is absolutely a father figure to me, to many. A man who has sacrificed so much for our country, much of which we will never know, and whose family is as strong as he is.
If you asked me a few years ago, I would have never imagined I would have had the opportunity to do half the things I have been able to experience and participate in. Standing in the middle of a banquet hall, last night, it was surreal. I watched a man become a senator! I watched someone I love and respect make yet another change, another opportunity for my local district of Ohio. For my friends, neighbors, for my family! I watched a family come to tears of happiness and astonishment because - We did it!
Not only did Frank Hoagland's success create a change of regime, it also showed that a man with no formal political experience or training can rise to public office. As the Republican Senator of the 30th District of Ohio, Hoagland will represent Jefferson, Carroll, Harrison, Belmont, Noble, Monroe, Washington, Meigs and portions of Athens and Vinton Counties.
Hoagland's campaign was based on a hard working, grassroots connected, and extremely motivated platform. Frank, his wife Darla, and his campaign manager Kevin Shimp truly give credit where credit is due and absolutely attribute the overwhelming success of this campaign to the support and passion invested by those who volunteered their time - those who were there every single day and those who may only have had a day or hour to give. It was all appreciated!
Hoagland has come from a long line of military involvement. He, himself, is a retired Navy SEAL. He comes from a life of speaking Pentagonese - the type of acronym based language you and I would label more closely with alphabet soup than English. He is not a career politician. Yet he has amazed even himself with how successful this campaign has become and the outpouring of effort and love throughout the entire process from not only those part of Team Hoagland but from the general public, as well.
Frank Hoagland is truly everything I believe in, everything I hope for. I am amazed, honored, and humbled to have been a part of this astonishing journey. Thank you, Senator Elect Frank Hoagland! Congratulations! I could not be more proud of you and of the entire Hoagland campaign! I am beyond excited to see the change(s) you bring to this district! Thank you for all you have done and all that you will do!
So, someday when someone asks where I was on this night, my answer will be simple: I was witnessing history.
