12 COVER OPINION
NORTHAM’S WIN IS ENCOURAGING, BUT DEMOCRATS MUST MAINTAIN MOMENTUM
Annaliese Grunder Staff Writer On the morning of Nov. 8, I eagerly read the news: Democrat Ralph Northam defeats Republican Ed Gillespie in the contentious Virginia Gubernatorial Election. Personally, I was elated; the aboveaverage voter turnout had ensured a victory in an election that, unlike the presidential election, is determined by the popular vote. I appreciate Northam’s platform, which emphasizes support for Virginia’s public school systems and pro-choice legislation, and I felt that Gillespie’s campaign ads unfairly attacked Northam’s immigration policies by playing on public fear of MS-13. In addition, I’m happy that the results of the election helped to further cement Democratic majority in Virginia, a trend that has been consistent since the presidential election of 2008. However, victory for the Democrats doesn’t stop at Northam; they also succeeded in winning a majority in the Virginia House of Delegates for the first time in over a decade. Several long-time Republican delegates, including selfdescribed “chief homophobe” Robert G. Marshall, were replaced by Democratic candidates. New records in diversity amongst the candidates were shattered as well. The nation’s first openly transgender delegate and Virginia’s first openly lesbian delegate were elected to office. These are all fantastic achievements for the Democratic party, and I suspect that the high voter turnouts and clearly blue results were a reflection of how dissatisfied the majority of Virginia is with the Trump administration. However, I’ve heard several Democrats presume that this is an indication that the party will seize back control of the legislative and executive branches during
A constituent votes in the middle school lecture hall on Election Day. Photo by Minh Vu
the next national elections. Not so fast, Democrats. While I too am enjoying the Democrat’s state and local triumphs, I can’t help but notice what a rarity this is. While Democrats can easily dominate the popular vote, the majority of states in the United States consistently vote Republican across the board. I believe that this stands true for two reasons: Outside Hayfield on election day, Nov. 7, 2017. Photo by Minh Vu Firstly, Democrats are concentrated in urban, coastal areas that are only forever. Sure, the ultimate goal for the located in a few choice states. Secondly, Democratic party would be to hold a and perhaps more importantly for the majority on a national level, but unless future of the party, Democrats simply they attempt to loosen the Republican’s don’t put enough emphasis on winning grip on traditionally red state legislators, state and local elections. As a party that then the GOP will continue to reign stresses the importance of the federal supreme in the Electoral College. government’s supremacy over state and So to all my fellow Democrats, local governments, it’s all too tempting congratulations. We’ve taken Virginia. for Democrats to focus solely on winning Pat yourselves on the back all you want, national elections. However, if they’re and keep that end goal of taking back ever to reclaim the House, Senate and the national government in mind. Let’s Presidency, then more resources should just remember that the only thing this be put towards winning over local and election proved is that it’s possible for state governments, something that the us to achieve victory on state and local GOP has dominated for what feels like levels.