How Democrats are making a mistake in rural America – by not showing up
The ConversationAug 30
US Election: Republicans Take Control of Senate
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Above: "Trump 2024" stickers at the Travis County Republican Party 2024 Presidential election night watch party in Austin, Texas, US, on Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2024. Image copyright: Sergio Flores/Bloomberg via Getty images
The Facts
The Republican party has taken over the US Senate, winning key races and flipping Democratic-held seats like West Virginia and Ohio in the 2024 elections. The fate of the House of Representatives remains unclear, as many important electoral battles remain uncalled.
The GOP held on to states including Texas and Florida, and pushed back a surprisingly strong challenge to Sen. Deb Fischer in Nebraska from independent newcomer Dan Osborn. Overall, the party is assured of at least 51 seats.
The Spin
Republican narrative
Republicans' significant victory in the race of the US Senate will enable them to shape key nominations and drive policy battles. Benefiting from favorable maps and targeted recruitment, the GOP skillfully navigated battleground primaries to bolster its offensive strategy. This new majority strengthens Republican leverage over legislative priorities, from cabinet confirmations to conservative agenda items, and will aid Trump, in his role as the 47th president, to deliver his legislative agenda.
Democratic narrative
This isn't just a result of GOP victory, but Democratic failure. The Democrats undermined their Senate prospects by losing their rural base and sidelining grassroots engagement. The party’s reliance on national strategists over local organizers led to poor outreach, especially in red states like West Virginia and Ohio, where Republicans claimed key victories. This urban-centric approach left rural voters feeling ignored, allowing Republicans to capitalize on anti-establishment sentiment and clinch the majority. This result marks a bleak day for America, punctuated by Trump's reelection despite his antidemocratic and populist platform. The Democrats must regroup and plan for the next election cycle.
