‘I’ll get back!’

November 22, 2007  --  Got something to say?
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Vellie Sandalo Dietrich-HallFAIRFAX, Virginia I’ll get back on the track again!
This was the message of Vellie Sandalo Dietrich-Hall, the Filipino American Republican candidate who failed to unseat incumben Mason district supervisor Penny Gross, a Democrat, in the Nov. 6 elections.

When the results of the voting came on the evening of Nov. 6 at the Marriott in Fair Oaks, Virginia, Vellie called Ms. Gross and congratulated her on her reelection. Although Vellie had the support of the Republican party and the Asian and Filipino American community, and outspent Gross in the campaign, she lost by a lopsided 9,528 to 5,677 votes.

But her supporters said that for a minority and a neophyte in politics to obtain that many number of votes, it was an accomplishment.

In her message to her disheartened supporters, Vellie said I know how disappointed you are. You have poured your hearts and your souls out in this campaign, and, for many of you, it was your first introduction to American politics. And I hope it wont be your last.”

Still optimistic, Vellie said we, who adopted the United States as our country are no strangers to disappointment and setbacks. If we have anything to teach our children - and I believe we have much to teach them, it is perseverance. As you know, I am a marathon runner. Any marathon runner will tell you, there is no shame in falling. There is shame in not getting back up.”

She told her supporters that when she got up the day after the elections on Nov. 7, I got up and dusted myself off and I will get right back on the track again! And I hope all of you will be right there alongside me!

In thanking her supporters, Vellie singled out the team leaders who campaigned hard for her. Among them are Inday and Dr. Rene Alvir who held the operations in unison, Atty. Warie and Norma Azarcon, Alma Conty, Ray and Harriet Gingrich, Maurese and Kevin Owens, Shu Bartholomew, Monica Celada, Puneet Ahluwalia, Becky and Pat Pagsibigan, Lori Prencipe, Calvin and Barbara Robinson, Mike Collins, Chris Kearney, Daniel Tillson, Ed Kennedy, Ernie Cordero, Melit Paterno, Oscar and Evelyn Bunoan, Gloria Caoile, Terry and Pat Robarge, Atty. Curtis Anderson, Col. Frank Steinke, Col. Ben Aceron, Atty. Samantha Vanterpool, Rev. JoAnn McCoy, Dixie Rapuano, Rick and Tina Gordon, Carol McCaffrey, Anne Keast, Drs. Boy and Charito Sion, Lottie Buhain, Alice Sasscer, Margaret Christian, Craig Romm, Christian Curto, Ashraf Sabrin, Dan Kellogg, and Todd Shaffner.

While she lost by an almost 2 to 1 margin, her supporters remain undaunted. They said that for an upstart to be able to obtain a substantial number of votes was in itself a feat that could serve her well in future elections.
Vellie is the first Filipino American ever to dare run for an elective position in the state of Virginia.

During the last few days of the campaign, Vellie took the risk of espousing the Republicans anti-illegal immigrant and anti-crime agenda in a district where there is a big Latino population.
In all of the voting precincts in the Mason district, Vellie only won in one.

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