The November elections flipped some seats, turned some colors, and even made history in some of the races. There is no time to rest on our laurels for the victories at the voting booth when the destruction is coming in so many different ways. Pro-democracy forces must stop their infighting. There’s a long road ahead of us.

There were significant outcomes in the recent elections. In California, a historic voter turnout led to the passage of Prop 50, which will enable a redistricting map favoring Democrats. The ballot initiative was Governor Gavin Newsom’s immediate, strategic offensive against Trump and his minions. This victory was literal and psychological because it was a bold response to MAGA calls for more congressional seats by any means necessary. It also sent a message to the spineless Democrats to get off their knees and start fighting. It worked.

Republicans in Texas, Missouri, and North Carolina may have jumped at Trump’s finger snap, but the GOP in Indiana and Kansas has backed off from redistricting their states’ maps. Florida and Nebraska also seem to have gotten timid. For now.

The elections were definitely a referendum on Trump’s authoritarianism. It was also a high-five to the Democrats who dared to break through the political malaise with the new tactics, ideas, messaging, and policies. The Party, with the lowest approval ratings in thirty years, has been chasing its tail since an estimated 10-15 million Democratic voters sat out the 2024 elections.

Zohran Kwame Mamdani energized voters, achieving a turnout not seen in a mayoral election since 1969. The audacity of this Muslim, immigrant, socialist democrat, named after the Ghanaian leader Kwame Nkrumah, to think he can lead the biggest city in the country. Mamdani’s election infuriated Republicans and shamed the Democratic establishment. It demonstrated that the Democratic base was seeking more than just a fresh face; it craved a candidate with a clear vision and a solid plan. Most importantly, forward-thinking Democrats united behind Mamdani, a candidate who stood firm and fought for the people.

There are 47 Congresspeople who will not seek re-election in 2026. I hope they see a new wind blowing across the country and realize they no longer fit, or they no longer have the energy to fight the good fight. They surely must realize that the voters are turning up the screws of accountability for all elected officials. For defectors like the eight Dems who sided with the MAGA forces after a grueling and historic government shutdown, they are guilty for the potential loss of healthcare benefits.

The scenario likely evoked memories of the political turmoil in 2011 when Wisconsin Republicans attempted to pass Act 10. During this time, 14 Democratic lawmakers fled to Illinois to avoid voting on the bill, which aimed to strip collective bargaining rights from public employees. The resistance to this corporate and anti-union agenda was swift. At one point, an estimated 100,000 protesters occupied the Capitol in Madison. There were widespread calls for retaliation against the legislators and their Democratic base. In an unprecedented move, nine congressional representatives faced recall efforts, along with Governor Scott Walker. Ultimately, Walker secured a decisive victory against a lackluster Tom Barrett, leading to the passage of the budget bill. This was a demoralizing and polarizing moment in Wisconsin’s political history. Independent filmmaker Katherine Acosta documented the “Kill the Bill” protest movement in her illuminating film, “Divided We Fall.”

Numerous case studies clearly demonstrate how the Democratic Party has suffered devastating defeats due to being ill-prepared, lacking unity around its objectives, and failing to present compelling candidates. How many lessons will we ignore before we stop repeating these avoidable losses? In 2011, it was the ALEC Plan; today, we face Project 2025. While the names and players may have changed, the underlying strategy remains the same.

The vote is a powerful tool for participation in a democracy, but it cannot compare to the strength of a united effort at all levels to correct the dangerous path this country is on. House-cleaning and expansion of democratic territory must happen simultaneously and furiously. Democrats must shed old skin, reconnect with their values, and fight like hell with the working class.