If there is a mood in the majority of the country on the morning after the 2017 election, it is hope. People are hopeful that after a year of dark, divisive, and incompetent Republican governance, voters are ready to restore a sanity check to US politics.
The victories in Virginia, New Jersey, and some of the high profile races, like Charlotte mayor, got national attention, but the Democratic wave wasn’t limited to the city and statewide races.
Strong candidate recruitment and rebuilding party infrastructure helped Democrats win local races that they have not won for centuries:
Dems won 2 seats on Delaware County Council – west of Philly, home to 2 US House R districts – for first time. Ever.https://t.co/DCvfbg24fb
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— Paul Kane (@pkcapitol) November 8, 2017
There are some historic, telling wins hidden in the cracks tonight.
Democrats won County Council seats in Delco PA for 1st time ever. Won county-wides in Chester for 1st time in 200 years.
CC: Rep. Meehan, R-Philly burbs
— Will Jordan (@williamjordann) November 8, 2017
As Trump’s Art Of The Deal ghostwriter, Tony Schwartz put it:
This is the first morning I've woken up feeling hopeful about our country since the day before Trump was elected one year ago yesterday.
— Tony Schwartz (@tonyschwartz) November 8, 2017
There is more work to be done, but Democrats have seen the reward for their efforts. For Republicans, the voter turnout nightmare that they feared is very real. Thanks to Trump’s attacks on his own party, Republican voters are angry. They are also complacent and frustrated. The lesson from 2017 election is that anti-Trump and Republican voters are more motivated than they’ve been since 2012.
Less than a year after Obama left office, the mood in the country is hopeful.
In one more year, voters will get their chance to put a stake through the heart of Trump’s presidency by electing a Democratic Congress.
2017 was good, but if Democrats work hard, 2018 will be even better.
Jason is the managing editor. He is also a White House Press Pool and a Congressional correspondent for PoliticusUSA. Jason has a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science. His graduate work focused on public policy, with a specialization in social reform movements.
Awards and Professional Memberships
Member of the Society of Professional Journalists and The American Political Science Association
