Why I Can’t Wait to Lose the Presidential Election
I can’t wait to lose this election.
That might sound strange coming from a presidential candidate, but to me, it feels both like a victory and a release. Running as an Independent—despite spending the first months registered as a Democrat—has allowed me to remain true to my beliefs, unbound by any party’s restrictive platform. This race wasn’t about aligning with someone else’s ideas or catering to special interests. After Kamala Harris maneuvered into the Democratic nomination without winning a legitimate primary, I formally switched my filing. But from the start, I ran as an Independent in spirit, determined to reach across party lines and speak to all Americans.
In Oregon, as I campaigned and spoke to people directly, it became clear how disconnected the public feels from the official party narratives. Most people I spoke with felt disappointed, even those who voted for Biden, admitting they weren’t truly invested in him. Biden’s withdrawal that Sunday wasn’t a surprise to me; anyone looking closely could see the cracks, and there were obvious doubts among his allies about his ability to serve another term. This frustration with the two-party system was everywhere, yet voters seemed resigned to it, with few daring to look beyond the choices presented to them.
The Paradox of Losing as a Victory
Strange as it sounds, losing this election feels like a victory. In stepping away from an expectation or desire towards winning, I’ve gained the freedom to continue being critical of our federal government without being accused of mere political grandstanding. In the future, if someone questions my opinions, I can say, “I actually ran for president. I tried to make a difference, but Americans like you didn’t share the campaign, and Americans like me don’t start with millions of dollars in the bank to fund a campaign.”
I entered this race for reasons other than power or prestige. This was an act of vision and passion. I sought the presidency because I believed in offering something different, something independent, something honest, something America deserves. Now, whatever comes next, I can move forward with a sense of pride, knowing I gave it my all. I’m excited to explore new work, whether in a career role or even a flexible hourly position. I’m ready for a new phase in life, having made this effort and carried this campaign as far as I could.
A Path to Victory on Election Day
Despite the slim odds, a write-in candidate could still win, even as late as Election Day. If our campaign gains enough attention and more write-in votes are cast than those for the main party candidates, this single paragraph could change the course of American history:
My fellow Americans:
For those voting by mail or drop-off, I urge you not to mark your choice for President until Monday or Tuesday. Let’s stand together and make sure that all write-in votes are counted. I ask you to peacefully flood your state legislatures and demand two things: (1) that all write-in votes be counted, and (2) that electors be allocated proportionally based on each state’s votes, as Nebraska and Maine do. Leave weapons at home—this movement must be peaceful. We the People hold the power, not those we elect! Legislators govern only with our consent, and we DEMAND our voices be heard.
Make this a peaceful revolution: bring snacks, dress for the weather, park in ways that minimize traffic disruptions, and if a traffic jam builds, walk! Whether it’s a call, an email, or a visit, we must make it clear that our voices must be counted. Let’s flood our state capitols peacefully and powerfully, to ensure we have a true choice.
In this scenario, voters would need to pressure state legislatures to take decisive action: to count all write-in votes and allocate electors proportionally instead of on a winner-take-all basis. This could lawfully be done after Election Day and would be ethically correct, as it allows the will of the people to be accurately represented. In the event of competing claims that either Harris or Trump had won, as an Independent candidate, I would call for a single national ballot for the office of U.S. President and a new election in late November or early December, with many weeks to count the new ballots prior to certification on January 6th. This would eliminate the risk of a Constitutional crisis, settle the competing elector claims, and serve as the starting point for overhauling our presidential election system.
So yes, victory is still possible. With enough public demand, even the most unlikely path could lead to the White House.
Learning Leadership and Humility
More than anything, this campaign has taught me about leadership. I’m proud of the way I’ve led my life and my campaign, even if we didn’t win the election. I’ve discovered areas where I can still grow, particularly in managing people. Whether I lead a team of three or thirty in the future, this journey has given me insights and valuable experiences that will shape the way I approach work and leadership.
Most people don’t realize how many presidential candidates enter the race, or how few reach national prominence—let alone the White House. For the 2024 election alone, over 1,400 individuals registered with the FEC to run for president, but only a fraction will appear on ballots across the country, and fewer still will gain any recognition. In total, it’s estimated that over 2,000 people have run for president in U.S. history, while only 46 individuals have ultimately held the office—a success rate of under 2.3%.
Knowing these odds, I am proud of the work I’ve done and the lessons I’ve learned through this campaign. It has been more than a test of skill—it’s been an opportunity to gain wisdom and resilience, both of which I’ll carry forward into every new chapter. This journey has shown me not only the challenges of leading a campaign but also the enduring value of leading with integrity.
The Need for Reform Beyond Two Parties
Our nation’s dependence on the two-party system severely limits us. In every election cycle, we see this over and over: the field starts with dozens of passionate, talented candidates, and somehow we always end up with two, radically opposed, each pressured to fit the narrow expectations of their party. In 2019-2020, the Democratic primary had about 20 candidates—Biden ranked 19th for me personally, Harris 20th—and yet those are the two we ended up with. We saw it again in 2023-2024 with Trump winning the Republican nomination without even participating in debates, which included far more reasonable Republican candidates.
Ranked-choice voting (RCV) could address some of these problems, but I believe the ideal would be a lottery system with RCV for the presidency. (I’ve written about this idea here: Reforming Presidential Elections: A Fairer System for America). Right now, we expect two candidates who oppose each other on everything and who only rarely show a willingness to work together. But I ran as an Independent because we don’t need that. We need leaders who listen and work with all sides, who understand the complexity of issues rather than retreating into party lines.
What I Hope for Future Generations
The lesson I want to leave is this: we must return to the Constitution. It’s a good document—good philosophy—dividing power into three branches: one to write the laws, one to execute them, and one to interpret and resolve disagreements. But the system has become corrupted. Parties are trying to control the presidency and as much of Congress as possible, and the American people are suffering for it. We must get back to the Constitution and start the healing process by returning to the foundation that made America possible in the first place.
This process will require debate and many, many new amendments. To start, I propose three areas for immediate reform: term limits for Congress, a better system for presidential elections, and Supreme Court reform. With these, we can build momentum and bring more difficult issues into the discussion month by month, showing that amending the Constitution is something we can do together.
Moving Forward
Through this experience, I’ve become a better leader of myself, a better father, more patient, and more present in all respects, though I’ll never stop growing. I look forward to taking these life lessons into my work, whether it’s a salaried position, a new employer, or a worthy cause. The campaign has taught me self-compassion, the importance of daily self-care, and how to set and check off meaningful goals. I’ve learned to listen better, to recognize and reflect others’ emotions, and to see the power in genuinely hearing people out. Whether or not I gain minor fame or social influence from this campaign, I’ll take these skills and values into every new venture.
I’ll also continue maintaining the campaign site and the email list, with “Fial Forward 2028” as a placeholder for whatever comes next. Maybe I’ll pursue a side project, like writing a children’s book about American politics and government. I know people may ask me to run for local or state office, but right now, that doesn’t interest me. I’m not here to climb a political ladder for the sake of a “career” in politics. My service has been, and will always be, for the right reasons.
Whatever happens, I will lead my life ready to serve in this office – if my country asks that of me.
A Closing Message to America
Read the Constitution!
Go past the dated English, and understand why it divides power the way it does. Learn why Congress—and “we the people”—should have the greatest power. Presidents shouldn’t be passing new legislation or acting like dictators. They should be nonpartisan, a voice of unity, not division. The Supreme Court should be rarely used, not wielded as a political weapon. Right now, the power of these branches is backward.
Going back to the Constitution is how we begin the healing process. The document was always intended as a living one, continually discussed and amended – not as a religious commandment marked in stone.
If I’ve “failed” in this campaign, I am still honored to have attempted it with dignity and morality. My campaign wasn’t about power; it was about healing—healing our people, our politics, our planet. My hope is that America will take this message to heart and work together to build a nation rooted in integrity, fairness, and collaboration.