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History and Hope

Below is a post-election message from the PowerPAC team, sent to supporters yesterday. One important update: We now have control of the Senate as well, with Virginia Sen. George Allen conceding this afternoon!

Dear PowerPAC friends and supporters,

The world is a better and safer place today than it was yesterday.

Sweeping and historic Democratic victories in races for U.S. Congress, U.S. Senate and key Governor’s races across the country mean that Democrats will hold power in Congress for the first time in 12 years. And in January, we will swear in the first woman Speaker of the House, California’s Rep. Nancy Pelosi.

In Massachusetts, rising star Deval Patrick became the second black Governor in the nation since Reconstruction, running on a message of unity and hope and an innovative and grassroots campaign that inspired thousands of volunteers and millions of voters.

In the key battleground state of Ohio, progressives have laid the groundwork for the 2008 presidential race by sweeping most major statewide offices, including Governor, Lt. Governor and Secretary of State. There and in six other states, millions of the lowest-paid Americans will now get an increase in their wages to help them care for their families because voters passed minimum-wage measures.

While control of the Senate is still in play, it is clear from these victories that the Bush Administration is now officially entering its twilight. And that is something for progressives to celebrate both here and around the world.

In California, the results were much more mixed.

Statewide, voters chose a Republican over a real progressive for Governor, and progressive measures on the ballot failed decisively. While Democrats held on to most seats statewide, these races were far closer than they should have been given the conservative nature of the Republican candidates.

In local races that we worked on throughout the state, we fell short on many of them, but have learned a lot and are committed to translating those lessons into preparation for the battles that lie ahead in the next several years.

In San Bernardino, Gwen Terry lost, but helped increase voter turnout by three times over in her district by running an unprecedented field operation, and engaged young voters in the campaign for the first time.

In Oakland, Aimee Allison lost, but assembled an incredible machine that will help move that city to lead the nation when Ron Dellums takes over as Mayor in January. The win in Congress will boost the efforts of former Congressman Dellums, as several of his colleagues in the Congressional Black Caucus will now be heading up powerful committees that control policy and resources.

Debra Bowen was elected California’s Secretary of State, a significant victory in terms of the potential for eliminating barriers to voting and moving decidedly toward a truly representative multi-racial democracy.

It’s been a long time since we have had so much news to celebrate, and that is a wonderful thing.

But we also are firmly aware that our work begins now to prepare for 2010, as we attempt to usher in a New Progressive Era, 100 years after the historic movement that pushed for equality and justice for all.

In Solidarity and Hope,

The PowerPAC team

Steve Phillips, Jenifer Ancona, Esther Morales and Nicole Derse

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