Making Sense of the Election Earthquake
Many of you have reached out in search of explanation, answers and reassurance after yesterday’s election results. Anyone who stands for democracy, the Constitution and the rule of law, is rightly concerned and frightened.
In the rawness of this moment with emotions running high and minds numbed by shock, I would like to offer some thoughts even though I myself am struggling to understand what American voters and non-voters are thinking.
First, I want to offer a round of applause to all who worked so hard to support Vice President Harris and to get the vote out. Whether you knocked doors, wrote postcards, gave money, served as a poll worker or poll watcher, volunteered on the Voter Protection hotline, offered to drive voters to the polls, attended a rally or a fundraiser, waved signs, had hard conversations with neighbors and family…thank YOU. Kamala brought all of her best self to the table and so did you. This is something to celebrate and be proud of.
While all the pundits, journalists, academics and pollsters are working hard to offer explanations of the results and analyze what went wrong for Democrats, it may be a bit early for Monday morning quarterbacking. Laying blame at the feet of a candidate who poured every ounce of her being into the most unusual political campaign in American history feels wrong. The electorate had a choice that seemed obvious to me, but clearly not to them.
Economics is one culprit. It’s the price of eggs or the monthly rent. ”It’s the economy, stupid.” But, there is much more here than meets the hungry eye. I find it hard to believe that anyone who is struggling economically can count on another Trump presidency to deliver financial relief. No, this election was about much more.
The electorate spoke loudly and clearly, but it is difficult to hear the music behind their vote. The French mille-feuille, or Napoleon (the French leader of a coup d’etat and self-appointed emperor), is an apt analogy, with its many layers of delicate buttery pastry that stand together to support the heavier pastry cream. There are many factors to explain why an electorate would choose a leader who has proven himself unethical, untrustworthy, full of hate and disrespectful with a disregard for the rule of law he swears to uphold.
When we are feeling so desperate and disappointed, this is not the time to rush to conclusions or to draw lines between cause and effect that may mislead us in our efforts to learn so we can improve our odds of future success.
While we lost at the top of the ticket, we did have some success down-ballot. Senator Islam Parks handily beat her well-funded Republican challenger with 55% and will continue to serve Georgia Senate District 7.
Unseating any incumbent is challenging, but Ashwin Ramaswami had a promising first showing with 46% of the vote against a Republican incumbent in a Forsyth, Fulton and Gwinnett Senate district. We also had several excellent candidates take on House Republicans. Among them, Susie Greenberg mounted a first-time campaign in House District 53 and secured 48% of the vote while Laura Murvartian took 45% in House District 48. We can build on these first leaps in the midterm elections in 2026!
I want you to know that I am still here and that I will represent you to the best of my abilities. I and members of the Senate Democratic Caucus will continue to file legislation to protect reproductive rights, reduce gun violence, advance access to quality education for Georgians of all ages and promote economic opportunity and security. We will continue to call the Republican majority out when they make policies that go against our core values. We will continue to speak for you, and we need your help and support more than ever. This is not a time to retreat. This is a time to commit to standing up for our country, our communities and our democratic values. We will not stop. We will not shut up. We will not be silenced.
I urge you to stay informed, engaged and connected to your community so we can work together to make our Democracy work for everyone.