An Exceptional Day For Democracy

Yesterday, we showed MAGA, Strom Thurmond, and Elon Musk what we're made of. Let's harness this momentum and remember this feeling.

Late Monday night, I began posting on social media in support of what Senator Cory Booker was doing on the floor of the Senate. Some folks thought it was more important to argue about the technical meaning of the word “filibuster” than it was to acknowledge the historic implications, or to realize the political benefits of our elected officials to try new things - but by the next day - everyone was cheering him on.

Meanwhile, as Senator Booker continued with his speech that was brimming with substance as opposed to previous filibusters where the speaker read from the phone book or recited the states and their capitals, Wisconsinites and Floridians made their way to the polls. In Wisconsin, not only was the balance of the State Supreme Court on the line, but so was the reality that someone like Elon Musk could buy state and local elections.

In Florida, voters were choosing who would take the place of beleaguered podcaster and sex pest Matt Gaetz and the idiot king of national security catastrophes Mike Waltz in the U.S. House of representatives.

And almost if it were planned, Senator Booker broke the floor speech record set by lifelong segregationist Strom Thurmond in 1957 not long before the polls were about to close. Seeing him get choked up as he yielded the floor after acknowledging John Lewis and noting that he didn’t make his speech because of Strom Thurmond, but in spite of him, was something to see. I’m certain I won’t forget it as long as I live.

Then we started getting election results.

While I was hoping for wins in FL-1 and FL-6, the Democrats came up short, but not nearly by as many points as anticipated. The Democrats made up 22 points in Gaetz’ former district, and 16 points in Waltz’ - an absolutely stunning feat in just four short months. I want to acknowledge the candidates, along with all the work Democrats in Florida poured into this effort. It was nothing short of incredible, and we must build on that work. Imagine the fear of fire you put into the hearts of republicans who are up for election in 2026 in what might once have been considered “safe” red districts.

Then it was all eyes on Wisconsin, and if I’m being honest, I was extremely nervous about the outcome. Not only would the State Supreme Court race decide - as it did in 2023 - the balance of the court, which would impact reproductive healthcare, voting rights, and gerrymandering for Wisconsinites; it would also either be a referendum on Musk and MAGA, or it would prove that state elections can be sold to the highest bidder.

Early voting showed immense increases in turnout in republican strongholds, and moderate to modest increases in blue counties. I went back and forth in my mind about whether the red county gains would be enough to overcome the blue, and whether the increases in republican districts were due to people who loved Elon or hated him.

As it turns out - people power carried the day.

Musk is in fact ballot box poison. If I were a more talented meme maker, I’d have done a mashup of Mommie Dearest hacking the rose garden with Musk’s face superimposed yelling “BALLOT BOX POISON? DONNIE, BRING ME THE AXE!” But I digress.

I was in contact with both Harry Dunn - former Capitol Police Officer and co-host of the Cleanup on Aisle 45 podcast, as well as our network producer and an engineer so we could coordinate recording an update with the election results and get them into Wednesday’s episodes in time for release. In 2023, the Wisconsin Supreme Court race was called around 7 PM PDT, so that was our aim.

Around 6:50, I texted our producer and asked if we could have more time if necessary, but at 6:57, Susan Crawford’s lead jumped to 161,000 votes. I messaged both our producer and Harry and said “Actually, they might be about to call it.” Sure enough, at 7:01 PDT, NBC called the race for Crawford, and Harry and I jumped into the virtual studio to record our update.

About 30 minutes later - after sitting down to unwind from the day and process everything that had happened - it hit me.

Joy.

Hope.

Gratitude.

Feelings that have gotten lost and buried in the past four months of scandal and tragedy. I want to hold on to those feelings, which is why I’m writing this. So when things seem dark, I can look back on this post and remember how I’m feeling right now. I want a reminder of the historic record-breaking floor speech by Cory Booker, and the message of hope and good trouble he delivered for 25 hours. I need to be able to look back on the victory of justice and democracy over money and hate in Wisconsin. I want to be able to recall the massive gains we made in ruby red districts in Florida and what that means going into 2026. I want to remind myself that not only do we still have elections, but that we can win them despite oligarchs bribing voters.

Yesterday was an amazing day for democracy and the movement, and I won’t soon forget it. I hope it carries you through darker times as well.

~AG