Three Speeches for Election Night

​THREE SPEECHES FOR ELECTION NIGHT

Polls have closed. Supporters gather at your victory party. They gave you their all. Now give them yours. Regardless of the outcome, tonight is their night, so tell them how much their support means to you. After all, it got you to Election Day.

Take the High Road

Regardless of the outcome, never disrespect your opponent. Be gracious. Thank him or her for a well-fought race and extend well wishes. Do it if you win because you are soon to be an elected official. If your opponent wins, take the high road, for you never know if you will run again in the future. If you trash you opponent, you create the image of a sore loser, one that can shadow you for a long time.

If your opponent shows up at your victory party, treat him or her with respect. Showing up is difficult. It takes class. By showing up, the person demonstrates an understanding of the public trust for which you both competed and knows that it is bigger than either of you. Knowing that, he or she aims to heal any wounds leftover from the campaign.

So look to the future. Do not let actions on Election Day haunt you later. And be aware that there are those who intend to trip you up from now through your first term in office.

Prepare Three Speeches

By the time election night arrives, you should have prepared three speeches: A victory speech; a too-close-to-call speech; a concession speech. Devote time to them, for they reflect your values, how you want everyone to remember you. Once polls close, mailed absentee ballots, early voting tallies, and other preliminary voting results get released. By then you have an idea of how you stand and which speech you will likely give.

Be Introduced

Arrange all party details in advance. Leave nothing to chance on election night. Whether your supporters assemble at a restaurant or at your headquarters, determine where to stand so that everyone will see and hear as you speak. Unless more than one hundred people are expected, you can speak without amplification. But do arrange for a lectern or table for placing your notes and a list of all your volunteers and others to recognize.

If you have a campaign manager or steering committee chair, arrange for that person to introduce you. Decide in advance what you want the person to say, but keep remarks brief so as not to take away from your speech.

Thank Your Family and Supporters

Regardless of what speech you deliver, each must be positive and lead with sincere recognition of everyone who contributed time to your campaign. Recognize them all by name and tell what each did. Recognize everyone: volunteers, financial contributors, key members of campaign staff.

And never overlook your spouse or partner and family members for their support, patience, and understanding during the campaign and the days leading up to it. Without their wind under your wings, you would not be there at that moment. Say something like this:

“We have come a long way since I announced my candidacy for (office name) back in (month). Through it all the wind in my sails was and is my (wife, husband, significant other, person’s name). Please credit him/or her as I do every day.”

“Tonight is one to celebrate, for we celebrate all of you. I would not be here without all of you. With your enthusiasm, can-do spirit, and dogged determination, we made it. Your support, time, and effort made our campaign a success, regardless of the outcome. Thank you!

It doesn’t matter what job each of you did. What matters is that each of you put your shoulder to the task. John Doe was a tiger putting signs everywhere, for example. If there was a vacant spot, it got a sign. Jane Doe was a trooper who knocked on doors with me rain or shine.

Be effusive as you go down the list. Then wrap up with something like this:

“I am humbled by all of your tireless support and encouragement over the past months, and I thank you so very much.”

When You Win

If you lead with a solid margin of victory, or your opponent has conceded, deliver a gracious victory statement that builds on sincere recognition of your supporters. Then acknowledge your opponent and thank him or her for a well-fought race. Establish that voters recognize what you will do to make your city, county, or state a better place and why. Close with a thank you to all for their help. Adapt this example to your situation:

“I have just received a gracious call from John Doe congratulating me on winning this race for Acme City Council. I thanked Mr. Doe for a well-run campaign in which he suggested constructive ideas for our community, a place that is better because of John Doe’s involvement. I wish John the best and am sure you do too.

“The voters of Acme City have spoken. They like what we promise for our community. They understand how our promise to clean our parks, build a bypass, and improve the business climate will make Acme City a better place to live and raise families. Before taking office, I look forward to meeting with the city administrator, to preparing to be as effective as possible from my first day in office as I work to make my campaign promises realities. Now is the time for us all to celebrate a job well done. Thank you!”

When You Lose

When results make it clear that you are not the winner, deliver a sincere concession speech with three objectives. After thanking family and supporters (see above), say that you called your opponent and congratulated him or her. If the winner was gracious, mention that too. Then imply that you may run again, by mentioning how you still believe that your message needs voice in the community. With this text, you leave the door open for another race:

“Many voters like my message and want what I propose to become reality. They want the reforms I promoted. They believed in what this campaign, what you and I advocated. Although the outcome is not what we had hoped for, we gave it our best, and the community is a better place for what we presented.

“I will not forget all of you here tonight and those in the community. You shared a dream with me, a dream for a better future for our state. Rest assured, I will continue to be an active voice in the community, pressing for the reforms I campaigned on this fall. I will continue to solicit your ideas as we go forward. Together we will see what the future holds. Now is the time for us all to celebrate a job well done. Thank you!”

When Too Close to Call

Begin by acknowledging your volunteers and supporters. Tell them that results are too close to call and that you are still waiting. Adapt this text to your situation:

“Regardless of the outcome, the voters have spoken, and many like our vision for Acme County. Your help through this long campaign made our vision THE vision for the county as we go forward.

“The night is young. Results are close. With X% of votes yet to be counted, the outcome remains undecided. We are continuing to monitor returns and precincts yet to be counted to see if they trend our way. So this could be a long night, so stay tuned for an update at 11 p.m.

“Meanwhile, I will not forget you all here tonight and those in the community. You share my dream for a better future for our state. Know that I will continue to be an active voice in the community, working toward the reforms I campaigned on this fall. I will solicit your ideas as we move forward. Together we will see what the future holds. Now is the time for us all to celebrate a job well done regardless of the outcome. Thank you!”

The Take Away

Regardless of the outcome, your election night ends a stage in your life. You might be surprised ten years hence to be headed toward higher elected office after a solid win on Election Day. Or you may be looking at continuing being a private citizen. If this is the case, avoid venting frustration as Richard Nixon did after losing his 1962 California gubernatorial race:

"You don't have Nixon to kick around anymore, because, gentlemen, this is my last press conference."

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The New York Times, November 8, 1962

Now is the time to celebrate with volunteers and supporters. The future presents opportunities to consider next steps, so keep your options open. Stay positive regardless of outcome. You will be a better person for it, as you leave the door ajar for a possible run again in the future.