November 8, 2019 at 6:20 p.m.
Election defeat handled with grace
Editorial
Gracious in victory, gracious in defeat.
Randy Geesaman can be proud to say that he is both.
Running for election is no easy task. It takes a lot of time and effort. It also comes with a certain amount of stress.
Each candidate put himself or herself out there, asking for votes.
Winning can be exhilarating.
Losing, well, that can feel like rejection.
For that reason, a candidate’s reaction to an election result reveals a lot. It shows much more than just what we see or hear in advertisements. It reveals more than we can learn from the few moments they spend at our doors while they are out campaigning.
Geesaman deserves credit for his reaction to Tuesday’s defeat.
He commiserated with Democrats who were gathered in the conference room at Holiday Inn Express. He thanked them for their support. And then he made the drive to John Jay Center for Learning, where Republicans met to listen to election results.
He congratulated mayor-elect John Boggs. He pledged to continue working hard for the City of Portland over the next two months. He promised to work with Boggs to help him make a smooth transition into office.
What more could residents of Portland ask for?
It would be easy to walk away in anger after such a loss. We’ve seen that happen before.
But, long before Tuesday’s results were finalized, Geesaman promised he wouldn’t do that.
We have no doubt that he will be a man of his word.
As mayor, Geesaman has done things that have been good for the city. He’s done things we’ve disagreed with.
He’s had difficulties within his own party. He’s also earned the Democrats two mayoral terms in a city that tends to lean Republican.
Geesaman is pleased with what he’s been able to accomplish as mayor. He’d also tell you, no doubt, that there is still more he wanted to do.
He won’t get the opportunity to do that in a third term. But he still plans to help make sure the man who beat him can hit the ground running, for the good of the city.
Gracious in victory, gracious in defeat. That’s a legacy to be proud of. — R.C.
Randy Geesaman can be proud to say that he is both.
Running for election is no easy task. It takes a lot of time and effort. It also comes with a certain amount of stress.
Each candidate put himself or herself out there, asking for votes.
Winning can be exhilarating.
Losing, well, that can feel like rejection.
For that reason, a candidate’s reaction to an election result reveals a lot. It shows much more than just what we see or hear in advertisements. It reveals more than we can learn from the few moments they spend at our doors while they are out campaigning.
Geesaman deserves credit for his reaction to Tuesday’s defeat.
He commiserated with Democrats who were gathered in the conference room at Holiday Inn Express. He thanked them for their support. And then he made the drive to John Jay Center for Learning, where Republicans met to listen to election results.
He congratulated mayor-elect John Boggs. He pledged to continue working hard for the City of Portland over the next two months. He promised to work with Boggs to help him make a smooth transition into office.
What more could residents of Portland ask for?
It would be easy to walk away in anger after such a loss. We’ve seen that happen before.
But, long before Tuesday’s results were finalized, Geesaman promised he wouldn’t do that.
We have no doubt that he will be a man of his word.
As mayor, Geesaman has done things that have been good for the city. He’s done things we’ve disagreed with.
He’s had difficulties within his own party. He’s also earned the Democrats two mayoral terms in a city that tends to lean Republican.
Geesaman is pleased with what he’s been able to accomplish as mayor. He’d also tell you, no doubt, that there is still more he wanted to do.
He won’t get the opportunity to do that in a third term. But he still plans to help make sure the man who beat him can hit the ground running, for the good of the city.
Gracious in victory, gracious in defeat. That’s a legacy to be proud of. — R.C.
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