Dear Friends,

I want to express my appreciation to all of you who supported me both financially and emotionally during my recent campaign for 33rd Assembly District. I especially want to thank the nearly 15,000 Republican voters ( almost 30% ) who cast their ballots for me on June 8.

Why did we not prevail at the ballot box?

Several factors stand out:

1. As in 2004, the conservative vote ( approximately 60% ) in the District was split between myself and another candidate. I was concerned that this would happen from the outset of my campaign. However, my concerns went unheeded by others in the race.
   
   
2. A late start. I entered the race in late October, months after my two main opponents had begun raising money and garnering key endorsements.
   
   
3. Our campaign was vastly outspent. Both Katcho and Ms. Waterfield outspent me by a factor of 3 to 1. I simply lacked the long-standing financial connections to the political establishment that Katcho enjoyed or the deep base of financial backing Etta enjoyed from family connections and the Santa Maria agriculture and development communities.

However, it can not be said that this campaign was unsuccessful. I finished second in both San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara counties, beating Etta Waterfield in the former and Katcho in the latter. The onsistent base of support I have demonstrated in my prior campaigns still held and I am grateful to those thousands of Republicans who continue to believe in the principles and values I espouse.

Unfortunately, that base of support can not be expanded with the presence of another well-funded conservative in the race or without a great deal more money for campaign advertising. I think I have learned that lesson conclusively.

As we close out the books on this campaign, I would deeply appreciate one final expression of your support and loyalty: a final contribution in any amount to help me pay off some of our campaign debts. I won't suggest an amount, but will trust in you to give what you can afford in these difficult economic times.

Your contribution will be deeply appreciated by both Jean and me and I will always cherish the memories of these recent campaigns and the wonderful people who made them all possible. Contributions may be made online or mailed to Kokkonen for Assembly, 1103 Johnson Avenue, San Luis Obispo, CA 93401.

Please be assured of my continuing commitment to fight for our shared conservative values. We need to keep our focus on the conservative ideals that we fought for. The president has proposed giving amnesty to illegal aliens. In light of that, I am putting together another rally on immigration. It will be the Great Arizona Tea Party. If you want to help, please call me at (805) 541-1880 or send me an email at info@sloteaparty.com