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I have a proven record as an effective legislator, which I believe is my greatest asset.

I'd like to think I'm a serious legislator and trying to get things done.

In the end, I think part of my problem was that I was a better legislator than I was a politician.

I've been doing everything I can to reach out and understand why people voted against me. They were trying to send a message. I have to be more sensitive in the way I express myself, and I have to be more thoughtful in the positions I take.

I've been ostracized before in legislative bodies for voting against the majority. That doesn't bother me.

What I try to do is tell my constituents that this is what I believe and this is why I made that vote. And I think that that makes more sense to people generally than trying to triangulate some political position.

I will go on doing what voters tell me to do, which is working with others, working out solutions, and getting results.

I learned some valuable lessons about the legislative process, the importance of bipartisan cooperation and the wisdom of taking small steps to get a big job done.

I like to think I am a serious legislator and trying to get things done. That's my goal in life, to get things done.