Democrats Are Showing Up For Special Elections And Winning

It is a very encouraging sign that resistance isn't being limited to protests but that Democrats are showing up and winning special elections.

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As I write to you in the midst of what seems like a never-ending winter for much of the nation, it occurs to me that special elections, you know, the kind that are special because they are usually held when people are paying the least amount of attention, are like snowflakes. Each special election is unique. They are different and decided by different factors. These elections, when looked at alone, much like a single snowflake fluttering to the ground, leave no impact.

However, when a large number of them come together, they form a storm, and from that storm, we can see patterns, and a big enough storm alters the landscape.

The United States is in a unique place at this moment because there has never been a president who enacted an agenda vastly different from the one he campaigned on.

The collective response has taken some time to take shape, but within the scope of the entire length of the presidency, it has come together rather quickly.

In just a few weeks, Democrats have transitioned themselves from a party that was licking its wounds after an election loss to an opposition party.

Public protests have gathered steam, and the courts have quickly rebuked and moved to restrain the actions of an administration that it views as unconstitutional.

The one piece that has been an unknown has been elections. We are starting to get a few indications in places like an Iowa state senate race where a solidly Trump district flipped to Democrats and in Westchester, NY, that the resistance could reach the ballot box.

Dave Weigel of Semafor posted on X about the Westchester election:

Another low-profile special election last night, another solid D performance, suggesting their new degreed suburban base will keep showing up. Democrat Ken Jenkins won Westchester County exec (replacing George Latimer) w 64%; Harris got 63% in county.

….

Westchester's very different than Long Island (duh), didn't move as far right from 2020 to 2024, but Trump posted about the race, Rs are super optimistic about 2026, Ds just showed up and won again.

There are several points that make the Westchester election interesting and relevant for conversation.