Dear Judge Kolokoff,
"The poorest way to face life is to face it with a sneer." Teddy Roosevelt.
You did not campaign with a sneer. You campaigned with a smile, with positive statements about the court system, and your love for the system you work for, and the people whom you serve so very well.
The grace and dignity you showed in a tight race did not go unnoticed by all who watched your race- lawyers, your colleagues, and the public.
You may have lost the race, but you won the admiration of those who count- and that is what will serve you well as you move forward.
We do not know what the future holds for you. We do not need to tell you that you can recover from this and get back on the bench. That decision is yours. What we can tell you is that you will have the strong support of all who matter should you try to get back on the bench. If that is your choice, all of Miami will be better for it.
No one will fault you for deciding that it is not worth it to become a judge again, when the politics of Miami in general, and Judicial races in particular, are so terribly skewered from merit and achievement, and towards a certain type of last name.
There are no better words for you, then these magnificent ones from Teddy Roosevelt:
It is not the critic who counts, who points out how the strong man stumbles. Or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The Credit belongs to the Man who is actually in the arena. Whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood. Who strives valiantly. Who errs. Who comes short again and again. Because there is no effort without error and shortcoming. But who does actually strive to do the deeds. Who knows great enthusiasms. The great devotions. Who spends himself in a worthy cause. Who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly. So his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who know neither know victory nor defeat.
You have an admirer Judge Kolokoff. We are just one of many. And we wish you well.
HR