WHY ELECTIONS MATTER

 

The well-regarded Chicago journalist, Sydney J. Harris, once observed “Democracy is the only system that persists in asking the powers that be, whether they are the powers that ought to be.” After the Nov. 4 elections, this observation was the ideal reflection to brighten the day of demoralized Democrats. In Washington County, across Pennsylvania, and throughout the country, despite an authoritarian president who ignores the rule of law and who attacks democratic principles, we were all reminded that “elections matter.”

Voting is the paramount democratic tool we have to help us build a community and nation that reflects our values and voices. The recent election results permitted concerned Americans to reimagine a resilient democracy, even when the “present powers that be” are attempting to change the rules that govern our constitutional republic. With impartial elections, we collectively get to choose the officials that make the decisions that affect our lives.

First, consider Washington County. Republicans have consistently won the latest election cycles due to a significant advantage in voter registration.

In the recent county election for controller, the ultimate political irony occurred. The Republican appointed Controller Heather Sheatler, herself a Republican, won the Democratic primary in a write-in effort. She went on to defeat the endorsed Republican candidate, Pat Phillps, 53% to 47%.

This result would not have been possible unless a number of registered Republicans ignored the “D” on the ballot beside Sheatler’s name. They voted for her based on personal observations, their values, and news reports commending her job performance.

We should all be proud of the Republican voters who were open to considering Sheatler’s record as a public servant. As controller, she consistently honored her financial watchdog responsibilities. She consistently placed the taxpayers before partisan loyalty. She refused to follow the demands or to approve the actions of the Sherman/Janis administration or of the local Republican party.  

In the race for the statewide judicial position on Superior Court, Washington County Common Pleas Judge Brandon Neuman, also broke through the local Republican registration advantage. Neuman, running as a Democrat, captured 52% of the county vote (54.6% statewide).

Local Republicans again considered factors beyond their party affiliation. These included Neuman’s name recognition, performance as a local judge, and the rare opportunity to place a favorite son on the statewide court. As reported in the Observer-Reporter, “Neuman is the first judge from Washington County to ever win election to a statewide appellate court, etching his name in history.”

Lastly, the local Republican party organized a partisan effort to unseat Washington Common Pleas Judge John DiSalle in his retention election. Once more, informed Republicans did not follow the party line. By a 57 to 43% margin, DiSalle will remain on the bench for another decade.

Throughout Pennsylvania, the statewide retention elections for three Democratic Supreme Court Justices were also great news for those who oppose the MAGA movement. Retention elections are typically low-interest, low-spending affairs. These political calculations changed last year when the Supreme Court race in Wisconsin made national headlines.

This year, the three Pennsylvania retentions became historically expensive campaigns that focused on some of the most contentious issues facing the nation. The Democratic majority on the Pennsylvania Supreme Court had handed down critical decisions including support for mail-in voting, abortion rights, and the rejection of a congressional map that it found unfairly benefited the GOP.

These decisions brought fierce opposition from President Trump and MAGA.  At least $20 million in Republican campaign spending, and an intense mailer and ad campaign were launched by Republican groups.  Despite this all-out attack, each Democratic Supreme Court Justice captured at least 63% of the vote.

Nationally, one thing was clear — up and down the ballot, it was a big night for Democrats. There were Democratic blow-out victories in the New Jersey and Virginia governors' races. Many of the most conservative counties in Virginia, that had heavily supported Trump in 2024, turned Democratic.

In New York City, Zohran Mamdani, a man with a Muslim name, an African past, and an Indian lineage, won the contest for mayor. Mamdani is also an avowed democratic socialist. He appealed to young voters by adopting a message of affordability in a city that has long been viewed as too expensive for the average American.  

In California, voters approved a plan to redraw the state’s congressional districts. In this state referendum of national significance, Democratic Governor Gavin Newsom led an effort to counter attempts in several red states to increase the Republican House of Representatives majority.

 

Why do this year’s elections give Democrats hope for the 2026 mid-terms and the 2028 presidential race? Their chosen nominees won with promises to lower costs for ordinary Americans. After the election, Trump responded to reporters in the White House, “I don’t want to hear about the affordability.” Similar to President Biden, Trump tried to use data to insist the economy has improved. Unlike the prior administration, Trump’s economic claims were often exaggerated or false.

More generally, voters delivered the message that by-and-large, they were not comfortable with the president’s narcissism or the “meanness” in his style of governing.

No one can predict whether the rising backlash against the president will continue into the mid-terms and beyond. The 2025 elections were a warning for Republicans and provided signs of recovery for Democrats. Only one fact is known – because we are a democracy, the next elections will matter.