Hello Amazing Volunteers!
It is elections like last night's that underscore the vital nature of our work together. While mind-numbing that an imminently qualified candidate could be seriously challenged by a thoroughly unqualified candidate, this race proved to be a hard-fought contest in which every vote counted. This means that every phone call, postcard, text, door knock, and dollar also counted. Everyone who contributed their time and/or their financial support deserves to be proud and gratified. THANK YOU!
The inspiring political commentator, Robert Hubbell, summed it up well. "There are plenty of lessons to be drawn from the midterms (and the Georgia runoff), but the most important lesson is that we control our destiny despite the defeatist narrative favored by the media."
Hubbell also gave a much deserved shout-out to the people of Georgia. "No reflection on Senator Warnock’s victory would be complete without acknowledging the sacrifice of Georgia voters who stood for hours in the rain to exercise a right that should not be contingent on completing an endurance contest and obstacle course. Despite Senator Warnock’s victory, voter suppression is alive and well in Georgia. All Americans owe Georgia voters a debt of gratitude for their determination and constancy in the face of suppression."
Senator Warnock's life story, capped by last night's victory through which he will remain part of a stunningly small group: Of the more than 2,000 people who have served in the United States Senate, only 11 have been Black. Of the Senate’s 100 current members, just three are Black. In his victory speech he thanked his mother, saying, "She grew up in the 1950s in Waycross, Ga., picking somebody else’s cotton and somebody else’s tobacco. But tonight she helped pick her youngest son to be a United States senator.”
This 51st seat is crucial for Dems over the next two years! The 51-49 split means Democrats can break free from the power-sharing agreement that has governed the Senate for the past two years and take full control of committees, giving the party unfettered subpoena power and fewer hurdles to confirming judicial nominees.
The lack of a tied Senate will also free up tie-breaking VP Kamala Harris’ schedule, diminish the power of centrist Senators Joe Manchin and Kyrsten Sinema, and give Democrats a much-needed cushion as we seek to protect their Senate majority against a challenging map in 2024.
Thank you for all your hard work to make possible this historic win and increased opportunities for the Democratic agenda moving forward!
PS - Hope to see you tomorrow, 12/8 at 2:30 PM PT for the final recap session of our popular series, "Midterms '22: The State of Play. Sign up here.
The IndiMarin Steering Committee - Joy, Andie, Amy, Betsy, Betty, Laurie and Susan
