Parent Press - November 2025
You get the headlines, but there's lots more going on than the headlines say! Here are some of the interesting things that happened in elections around the country on Nov. 4 that have outsize implications for the all-important midterm elections in November 2026 and beyond.
Change is on Georgia's Mind
Minds are changing in Georgia and Georgia is on Democrat minds around the country thanks to Peter Hubbard and Alicia Johnson - they unseated 2 Republicans in the statewide Public Service Commission race. The ever-rising cost of electricity for Georgians due to $17 billion in cost overruns for Plant Vogtle AND of national data centers' insatiable need for energy to operate in our state plus municipal elections in Democratic strongholds like Atlanta sent people to the polls. Voter turnout was a whopping 21.7% in an off-year election.
Georgia voters sent a loud, clear message that they are paying attention and that their views are shifting.
What's going on behind the scenes?
While the statewide race was about power bills and structure, Trump was on the ballot. And, many voters who supported Trump in 2024 showed they are unhappy with the status quo. Like the mayoral election in New York City, this race was, in large part, about affordability. The candidates made this clear by making sure voters knew that the PSC raised their electric rates 6 times in 3 short years.
Several counties where Trump won by large margins in 2024 saw voter support for the Republican incumbents weaken significantly in 12 months. Looking at a sample of counties (see below) in the metro area, Democrats improved from 2024 to 2025 while Republicans lost substantially. You can check out more data at results.sos.ga.gov/results/public/Georgia.
However, before we get too excited, I want to remind you that this was an off-year election and Democrats were very motivated to vote. This did not happen in a vacuum though. Democrats raised money and organized to get these results. We need to build on this foundation for 2026. I believe Democrats have the momentum to win more key races in Georgia in 2026 - if we work smart and hard.
Success and Intrigue Beyond Georgia
I expect most of you know all about Mayor-elect Mamdani's historic win in New York City and about the Democratic wins in Virginia with Governor-elect Abigail Spanberger besting her female Republican opponent (a first in VA that they were both women!) and in New Jersey with Governor-elect Mikie Sherrill. Here are some more highlights to crow about:
Virginia Democrats swept up statewide leadership decisively and widened their margin in the state house by flipping 11 seats. Women will lead with Sen. Ghazala Hashmi who beat conservative talk-show host John Reid in the lieutenant governor’s race. Former state delegate Jay Jones unseated incumbent Attorney General Jason Miyares.
New Jersey voters turned out at a higher rate than the last governor election in 2021. Democrats were highly motivated while Republicans were less so, suggesting the Trump Maga brand is losing some of its luster.
Mississippi Democrats won 2 seats in re-drawn Republican districts breaking the supermajority Republicans had held since 2019. We broke the supermajority in Georgia in 2018, and I remember how good that felt.
California overwhelmingly voted for Proposition 50 to approve congressional maps that favor Democrats. While I have been a vocal advocate for independent nonpartisan redistricting commissions, this move was unfortunately necessary to counteract the Republican gerrymandering that Trump demanded of Texas and other Republican trifecta states. Republicans have already filed suit to block the maps.
Signs of a breakdown in the Republican voting block emerged around the country.
In Erie County, PA where Trump won narrowly in 2024, Democrat Christina Vogel won the county executive election with a 24 point margin.
The Onondaga county legislature in New York will be controlled by Democrats for the first time nearly 5 decades.
In swing Luzerne county in Pennsylvania, Democrats ousted Republicans to run the 11 member city council. Trump carried the county in 2024.
Progressive policies on the ballot around the country proved popular.
Colorado voters said "yes" by large margins to ballot measures that will fund free school meals for all public school students.
In Maine, voters rejected voter suppression efforts to require voter ID and limit absentee voting.
Maine voters approved a red flag gun law. Gov. Janet Mills who is running to unseat Senator Susan Collins opposed the measure.
Fuel the Momentum Now
We can't stop here. We need to continue adding fuel to the Democrat fire for 2026 when so much will be at stake. We must keep Senator Jon Ossoff in the Senate while also supporting candidates throughout our state.
What can YOU do to help?
In January, I will go back to the Gold Dome for the 2026 Legislative Session. Until then, I can accept donations to run my office and to support Democrats around our state. With statewide elections, congressional seats and a Senate seat on the ballot in November 2026, I will be working hard for you and for our candidates.
I cannot do it without your help.
Can you contribute $5, $10, or $25 today!