On June 3rd of this year, after ten years as editor of this site and eleven years as a writer on this site, I told Salem Communications I thought it was time for me to move on. December 31st is my last day here. In January, I’ll focus on radio and television with most of my writing at my radio website instead of here. I am so thankful for and proud of Leon, who has come in like a wrecking ball (intentionally gratuitous Miley Cyrus reference to humiliate Leon) and really worked to build in fresh ideas while keeping his clothes on while swinging from that wrecking ball. I know I leave my other family in good hands and look forward to spending a bit more time with my natural family.

In eleven years at RedState we have lost some loved ones, both readers and writers. Our dear friend Mark Kilmer still comes to mind on a near daily basis and enters our conversations here frequently. Others too, who have gone to be with the Lord, come to mind.

All of that is to say that I love y’all and am thankful for y’all. The contributors of this site are an extended part of my family. You guys have been my prayer warriors and cheerleaders and accountability partners and friends, in addition to being the readers and diarists of this site. RedState could not exist without you all and I thank you.

I am also mindful on a daily basis that I would not be where I am but for Ben Domenech, Mike Krempasky, Josh Trevino, and Clayton Wagar, the first three but for whom this site would never have originated and the latter but for whom this site would not have stayed online in the early days. I stand on the shoulders of men better than myself and could not do what I now do and go where I now go but for them and the contributors here and all of you.

So I thank you.

I do not truly know what the future holds, but I know I am excited about it, thankful for the opportunity, and value your prayers. In the eleven years that RedState has been around, this site has helped elect some amazing people and advance an agenda for freedom. I cannot wait to see RedState evolve and change and grow.

There is a bit of sadness in leaving, but I’ll still be around. I’ll surprise Leon with an occasional post, ignore him on timing because I have the Emeritus shield that guards me from his wrath, and I will see you all in Denver at next year’s RedState Gathering. In the meantime you’ll be able to hear me on radio and stop by my personal site where I refuse to put up a comments section by design. You’ll just have to wave at your computer screen.

Lest I make this all about me, let me also say on behalf of all of us here at RedState, we do value your participation, even if we think our comments section needs another Kraken moment. You are our friends and fellow happy warriors in a fight for freedom and small government.

I am a believer in small government because I am a Christian. I know we are all fallen sinners and thus I want as few of them in charge of me as possible. I am a RedStater because in that belief, I choose to be surrounded by good people across the country who share that commitment as they also focus on their families, jobs, and faith. It is something that has always set this site apart from so many others. You guys are activists not because you want to be, but because you know you need to be. All of us have things we would rather do and interests we would rather pursue. But we have families and want the world to be a better place for them. So we soldier on together.

For that companionship, I am so thankful.

Before I wind this up, I would like to just say that for fifteen years and eleven years here I have been supported by my wife Christy. We have not had an easy time with all the curveballs in life thrown at us. When I told her I was going to work at RedState full time, she was two weeks from giving birth to our first child. It went over as you might expect it. Christy has been a steady source of comfort and support and this site would not have advanced had she not been there in the background praying, rooting, loving, and supporting me and this endeavor.

Now, off to smoke a turkey. Here is my gravy recipe if you need it.

You guys have a wonderful Thanksgiving.

May the Lord bless you and keep you;
may the Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you;
may the Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace.