It’s a Blue Wave and a Rainbow Wave and a Women’s Wave and More
There seem to be a lot of Democrats feeling glum, defeated, angry, upset, and betrayed after Tuesday night’s elections. I certainly was.
But there are a huge number of big wins that Democrats have every right and reason– and frankly, obligation – to celebrate right now. It’s hard to see them when the national media is rarely focused on anything but Washington D.C., so let me share with you some huge accomplishments that we need to shout to the rooftops and build upon as we fight to place America back on course towards the union we believe in our hearts it should be.
Yes, there is a white nationalist (and probably a white supremacist) in the Oval Office. Yes, Florida (and probably Georgia) GOP voters once again proved just how racist they can be. And yes, Ted Cruz beat Beto O’Rourke.
But let’s start with that.
Beto O’Rourke is the first Democratic Senate candidate in Texas who almost won. He raised enough money to mount a presidential campaign. He embarrassed the heck out of Ted Cruz. And most importantly, he proved that Democrats in “red” states who stick to true Democratic principles, rather than being moderates, have a true chance at winning.
Now, more wins:
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- A record number of women, more than 100 – mostly Democrats – were elected to Congress Tuesday night. (94 Democrats and 16 Republicans total elected Tuesday to serve in the House and Senate.)
- Over 100 LGBTQ candidates won federal, state, and local races, according to GLAAD, which is calling it a “rainbow wave.” The LGBTQ Victory Fund, which supports both Democratic and Republican candidates, currently lists LGBTQ candidates winning 8 federal, 86 state, and 34 local races.
- Transgender rights were on the ballot and won in Massachusetts.
- The first Native American women were elected to Congress. Sharice Davids and Deb Haaland, both Democrats, will serve in the House. Davids is a lesbian, making her the first openly-lesbian Congresswoman from Kansas.
- The first Muslim women, Rashida Tlaib and Ilhan Omar, were also elected to Congress. Again, both are Democrats.
- New Hampshire elects its first openly-gay member of Congress. Democrat Chris Pappas will become Congressman Chris Pappas.
- Minnesota elects its first openly-LGBTQ member of Congress: Democrat Angie Craig, a lesbian.
- The first openly-gay man was elected governor. Colorado Democratic Rep. Jared Polis will become Governor Jared Polis.
- Texas, which is 40% Hispanic, finally elects its first Hispanic women to Congress. Veronica Escobar and Sylvia Garcia, both Democrats, are headed to D.C.
- Both legislative chambers plus governorships in six states flipped from Republican to Democratic (Colorado, Illinois, Maine, Nevada, New Mexico and New York.)
- Democrats beat Republican Senators and Governors in the three states that gave Trump his electoral college win: Pennsylvania, Wisconsin and Michigan.
These are certainly not the only wins Democrats should be celebrating – what others should we include? Post them in the comments below!