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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsDemocrats In Illinois Just Unseated A Whole Bunch Of Republicans
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/democrats-grassroots-trump-elections_us_58efd21de4b0bb9638e270c1?sec3kkytkfz4lhaor&ncid=inblnkushpmg00000009WASHINGTON ― In a spate of local elections last week in Illinois, Democrats picked up seats in places theyve never won before.
The city of Kankakee elected its first African-American, Democratic mayor. West Deerfield Township will be led entirely by Democrats for the first time. Elgin Township voted for a complete changeover, flipping to an all-Democratic board. Normal Township elected Democratic supervisors and trustees to run its board ― the first time in more than 100 years that a single Democrat has held a seat.
We had a pretty good day, said Dan Kovats, executive director of the Illinois Democratic County Chairmens Association. We won in areas we normally would win, but we also won in areas Republicans never expected us to be competitive in. They were caught flat-footed.
These may seem like relatively small victories ― were talking about municipal races in towns with tens of thousands of people ― but they fit with a broader pattern that should have Republicans on edge ahead of the 2018 elections: Progressive grassroots activism, exploding with energy since President Donald Trumps win in November, is fueling Democratic gains in GOP strongholds.
Lots more at the link.
Keep tending that grass out there, folks. Keep those roots strong!
charlyvi
(6,537 posts)I think Dems have learned a lot this past year. At last.
Demsrule86
(68,355 posts)cstanleytech
(26,087 posts)on the federal elections as it let the Repugants gain far to much power at the state and local level across the country but hopefully the Democrats wont forget that lesson now and things will begin to change though it will take atleast a few years before we see much change.
Frances
(8,531 posts)Great news!
RandySF
(57,661 posts)Ligyron
(7,592 posts)Cheerful OP even tho I'm in Florida and Dump will be in my town AGAIN tonight screwing up local businesses and boating navigation.
oasis
(49,152 posts)tavalon
(27,985 posts)There are a lot of newly awake people.
RandySF
(57,661 posts)I would devote it to elected Democrats to local and state legislative offices across the country.
Dawson Leery
(19,348 posts)Things are looking better for the good side.
Cha
(295,929 posts)zentrum
(9,865 posts)These are huge victories. It's how the Repugs starting taking over 30 years ago.
The Dems need to be cultivating fresh and young talent and going back to Dean's 50 state solution.
zentrum
(9,865 posts)...really understood why he was so shut down and shut out and kept from doing the fifty state strategy back in the day.
Might have won for us in 2016 and we wouldn't be facing this RW coup.
drmeow
(4,996 posts)Maybe he left rather than being pushed out, but I find that hard to believe.
I think we are going to start seeing more grassroots/bypass the DNC campaigns (which would not, IMO, be a bad thing).
Thekaspervote
(32,606 posts)We already have a crowded field of dem candidates for gov. 2 really stand out, either would make a great gov!
mopinko
(69,812 posts)ProfessorGAC
(64,427 posts)He's the 8th LEAST popular (or approved of) governor in the country, and the 9th MOST disapproved of in the country.
And there are no "remember what he said and what he actually did" ads running yet.
GAC
Demtexan
(1,588 posts)It can happen.
My county went totally blue in Texas in the last election.
Congrats.
OnDoutside
(19,908 posts)And follow up with doing the right things, so Republican control will become a distant nightmare.
BlancheSplanchnik
(20,219 posts)Ai yi yi, I really needed to hear some good news today. Thannnnk Youuuuuuu!
luvMIdog
(2,533 posts)Initech
(99,915 posts)Pacifist Patriot
(24,647 posts)These local elections are priceless and where it all begins!
raccoon
(31,092 posts)Warren DeMontague
(80,708 posts)East Coast politicians should pay attention.
mopinko
(69,812 posts)at least it wasnt from anyone i talked to.
this is a state action that has been kicking around since we did mmj.
might have had a small impact on some.
Warren DeMontague
(80,708 posts)Nevertheless, there is this weird disconnect between Eastern pols and their voters- witness how the Massachusets legislature has desperately tried to throw up roadblocks to implimenting the legalization the voters there passed- hell, in Florida you have a MMJ amendment that passed by over 70%, and all the legislature can agree on is that something needs to be done NOW to prevent it from resulting in any medical marijuana patients actually being able to obtain, you know, medical marijuana.
Compare that to the situation on the West Coast, where our leaders actually have a clue on this issue.
I think Illinois is a breath of refreshing sanity, far too rare east of the Rockies right now.
MineralMan
(146,192 posts)That's how we do it. Thanks!
Bradical79
(4,490 posts)Probably a good time for a PSA on ways to get involved, to remind people
MineralMan
(146,192 posts)Use your county and state, of course. If that didn't work, omit the county and visit your state part website.
duhneece
(4,105 posts)Our small county has had monthly meetings for at least 14 years (since I went to first one in 2003 at the run-up to the Iraq War)...but Lubbock only holds meetings every 3 months.
Find out who's running, at state/county/city/US and ask how you can help.
Then, in several years, run for office yourself...or continue to help your party, your candidates.
kcr
(15,300 posts)And a very good sign.
Stellar
(5,644 posts)smirkymonkey
(63,221 posts)But we need to keep the momentum going!
tenorly
(2,037 posts)And keep'em out.
Horse with no Name
(33,956 posts)Unless they are deacons!
NastyRiffraff
(12,448 posts)Congratulations to he people of Kankakee.
lastlib
(22,982 posts)Let them sleep until the alarm goes off.