Dear Dems,
Four years ago, Republican Matt Bevin won the 2015 Kentucky gubernatorial race despite lagging in the polls for months. As one Democratic strategist wrote, "The bottom fell out in rural Kentucky. It was a harbinger of what came in 2016." Bevin would go on to limit reproductive freedom, threaten the pensions of thousands of educators, and try to reverse Medicaid expansion. Last night, we beat him. And in 2020, we will beat Trump.
Last night's victory in Kentucky could transform politics in the state. Governor-elect Andy Beshear has promised to restore the voting rights of 140,000 Kentuckians. And last night came with other important victories as well. For the first time in a generation, Democrats will control both the Virginia House of Delegates and the Virginia State Senate. New York City became the largest city in America to adopt ranked-choice voting. In Lewiston, Maine, Safiya Khalid became the first Somali-American elected to her city council. Even the woman who lost her job because she flipped off Trump's motorcade won elected office in Virginia. These victories were powered by the organizing and mobilizing of so many communities across the country, especially teachers, Black voters, and young voters.
This is not to say that last night went as every Democrat hoped. Republican Tate Reeves will be the next governor of Mississippi, largely because of the state's substantial voter suppression efforts. And, while results are not yet final, the candidate we endorsed for city council, Nicola Williams, did not cross the finish line.
These victories will inspire us and these losses will motivate us. This semester, we've phonebanked into Virginia, Mississippi, and Kentucky, making thousands of calls. We've knocked doors for city council (in the rain). And we've zeroed in on progressive legislation to support at our annual Lobby Day.
2020 is just a year away, and with your help, our victories will be lasting. Run for Dems Board, join a presidential subgroup, keep coming to general meetings (including next week!), and join us for our Lobby Day on December 4th. We'll see you soon.
Yours,
Hank & Isabel
President & Vice President