In his letter to the Corinthians, the Apostle Paul viewed the Christian life as running a race. “Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but only one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may win.” (I Corinthians 9:24)

My friend, Vivian Childs, and I have been engaged in a race for the Republican nomination for the 2nd Congressional District of Georgia. We both had a strong sense of calling to run. This wasn’t something that we just wanted to do, we had to do it. Not everyone can understand what I mean by that, but many do know exactly what I mean.

Our sense of calling was to raise a hand and say, “Here am I Lord, send me.” (Isaiah 6:8) We both had that conviction of being called, not for our own glory, but as obedient servants of God. We did not know what tomorrow held, but we know who holds tomorrow.

When we entered this race, Corona was just a brand of beer, and only very geeky medical researchers had ever heard the term Covid. Not only had we never heard of it, we did not have the foggiest notion that there were 18 of them before this latest one. We just knew that we had to take a step of faith.

When taking that step, we both had much in common. We both knew that only one could be the nominee.

We both knew that, while the Republican primary was a race for the nomination, the general election would be a battle for the very soul of America and her future. We ran the race in a way to win.

The people of the 2nd District are better because we both were called to run. We both had a group of committed supporters working to get out a message that Southwest Georgia did not have a representative of our values. I heard Vivian state it well when said said, “We deserve better.”

Vivian and her team engaged voters and carried nearly half the counties across the 2nd District. When I received the early numbers for Grady County, I began to wonder if I should start writing my concession speech. The results in other counties were closer with the exception of my home county.

I have never felt so humbled and proud about the amazing support in Crisp, my home county. One of my old Army buddies sent me a text from Arizona that said, “Crisp County loves you.”

Our supporters were passionate in their push to win the race. The greater the passion, the more gripping the pain of loss.

For Vivian’s supporters, know that Vivian and I both stand for the same thing. We both support President Trump. We both defend the right to life. We both stand for individual liberty and the 2nd Amendment. We both were outraged when Sanford Bishop brazenly disregarded the calls from the 2nd District and voted to impeach President Trump.

Our road ahead will not be easy. You have already encountered many who attempt to discourage by saying that Sanford Bishop cannot be defeated. You have already demonstrated that you will stand boldly in the face of pessimism and words that attempt to instill fear.

Whether you supported Don Cole or Vivian Childs, the truth is that you were not supporting just a person. You were supporting and standing for a cause greater than yourself.

I commit to you that I will stand for that same cause and those same principles. I will represent you and your values. I ask for your support in that cause.

Thank you, Vivian Childs and your super team of supporters. Now let’s continue the march and let’s go take the 2nd District’s vote in the US House back from Nancy Pelosi and the Democrats and return it to its rightful owner, the people of Southwest Georgia.

Join the team. We need you. Southwest Georgia needs you. America needs you.

May God bless you! Sign up to help out at Cole4Congress.com

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