It’s Election Day 2018, and the stakes are high for the future of LGBTQ equality.
The Democratic candidates running today aren’t merely dedicated to stopping Trump’s dishonest and discriminatory policies, they also represent the rebranding of Democrats into a younger, more racially and sexually diverse brand.
Here’s a quick look at five candidates who represent that changing brand, perhaps providing a glimpse into the future of progressive politics that will look very different than it does today.
With a divided nation and unrelenting Republican majorities everywhere from Congress to state legislatures, politics can seem bleak. But don’t be fooled: The future is ours and the candidates below will tell you why.
How about we take this to the next level?
Our newsletter is like a refreshing cocktail (or mocktail) of LGBTQ+ entertainment and pop culture, served up with a side of eye-candy.
1. Stacey Abrams, Georgia gubernatorial candidate (pictured above)
This year, more Democratic women are running than ever before and many of them are women of color, including New York’s Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Texas Filipino lesbian candidate Gina Ortiz Jones, and Minnesota’s Ilhan Omar, who could become the first Somali-American Muslim elected to Congress. In Arizona, Kyrsten Lea Sinema could become the nation’s first openly bisexual Senator. Tammy Baldwin of Wisconsin is the first lesbian member of the Senate and appears to be cruising to her third term in office.
In another historic first, Abrams is the first black female gubernatorial candidate from any major political party. She ran on a platform of expanding Medicaid, lowering middle-class taxes, investing in mass transit and fighting GOP voter suppression.
2. Andrew Gillum, Florida gubernatorial candidate
It looks like Gillum, the current mayor of Tallahassee, will become his state’s first black governor.
Running on a platform of a $15 minimum wage, Medicare-for-all, criminal justice reform and environmental protection, the 39-year old candidate went viral when he dragged his opponent in a debate, saying, “Now, I’m not calling Mr. Desantis a racist. I’m simply saying the racists believe he’s a racist.”
Gillum represents a new brand of straight-talking, progressive candidates who’ve given up on courting moderates and lukewarm Republicans, focusing more on rousing their liberal base with unapologetically progressive policies — a far cry from Hilary’s centrist 2016 campaign.
3. Beto O’Rourke, Texas U.S. senatorial candidate
It’s fantastic that a former punk rock singer who used to wear dresses became a U.S. Representative. And it’s even cooler that he’s become a serious challenger to Tea Party Grandpa Munster, Ted Cruz.
O’Rourke isn’t as far-left as other progressive candidates (possibly a smart move in conservative Texas). But he has contrasted himself from Cruz by courting Latinx voters, believing in climate change, supporting abortion and LGBTQ equality in an anti-gay state, legalizing weed, funding public schools, eliminating for-profit prisons and touting sense gun reforms.
It’s a longshot for O’Rourke to win in the red state, but pundits think the enthusiasm he’s generated could help down-ballot Dems and keep progressives interested. Given that his campaign raised more than $50 million, it is widely thought he may throw his hat into the presidential ring for 2020, even if he loses today.
4. Tammy Baldwin, Wisconsin U.S. senatorial candidate
It’s easy to overlook this progressive lesbian candidate — it has not been on anybody’s radar — but she’s expected to cruise to re-election in a swing state that went for Trump.
Baldwin’s race is increasingly seen as a referendum on her state’s pro-Trump governor. Scott Walker has helped break unions, restrict abortion, instate a voter ID law, stop Medicaid expansion and require drug-testing for recipients of social assistance.
Baldwin has contrasted herself by running on a platform of protecting the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare), particularly its protection for people with “preexisting conditions,” an issue that Dems and Republicans alike support.
In fact, she has focused on “working across the aisle” throughout an entire political career. “I’m not afraid to stand up to anyone who’s trying to rig the system,” she says. “And I’m not afraid to sit down with anyone who can help come up with solutions.”
If anything, it shows that successful candidates don’t have to constantly trash Trump or shame Republican voters.
5. Jared Polis, Colorado gubernatorial candidate
The 43-year-old congressman is expected to become the first openly gay governor of any U.S. state. That might seem unremarkable considering that the married father of two is estimated to have a net worth of almost half a billion dollars. But considering that his home state banned same-sex marriage in 2006, his success shows the nation’s changing political cultural trends.
His double-digit leads among young, unaffiliated and female voters also show that he’s attracting a new demographic of politically engaged Americans.
Of victory, Polis said: “I think it really gives Colorado an opportunity to stick a thumb in the eye of Mike Pence, whose view of America is not as inclusive as where America is today.”
tham
I really think the Dem class of 2018 might just be their finest. There’s something for everyone.
Kangol
Yep! Just a heads up, though: Tammy Baldwin is an incumbent. There are other out LGBTQ candidates, including many people of color, all over the US. A number will win today. It’s an exciting time and many are millennials, Gen X and Gen Y, representing the future of this country. Onwards and upwards!
Bob LaBlah
In Georgia Trumps lap dog has a 2-1 lead. But only 4% of the vote has been counted. Gilliam is in the lead in Florida but I do mean a very narrow lead but again, only 6% of the vote has been counted. I have no doubt Russia is aware of the mistake they made by helping to elect Trump and bowed out of this one.
PLAYS WELL WITH OTHERS
Still dealing with the trauma of 2016, ain’t gonna believe anything till the final results are in…..
Bob LaBlah
Good news. Ol’ Kim Davis over in Ky was not reelected.
jckfmsincty
Yet, Trump stooge, Andy Barr, was re-elected in Lexington.
PLAYS WELL WITH OTHERS
Unfortunately the blue wave kinda sorta turned into a blue tinkle…..we definitely made some gains, but the Senate is solidly Repugnatican which means we are doomed as far as Federal Judges and SCOTUS…
RIGay
Stop with this mentality that everyone who ran gets a ribbon! The Democrats LOST in key races in Florida, Georgia, Texas and North Dakota. The ONLY messages that sent was that “If I hitch myself to the spouting Orange, I can win!”, and “I can say ANYTHING I want and get votes!”. Next up, further gerrymandering and voter suppression tactics to squash any momentum going forward.
The only thing America go out of this election is a weak firewall to protect our democracy through the 2020 general elections. There is so much more work to do between now and then. We have GOT to stay off our asses!
Sadly, here in RI, although a firmly BLUE state, our town ballot went RED. The GOP was out in force with glossy signs and cards, and mass mailings that quite literally questioned the sanity of the other candidates for the town council. The state GOP sank money into the race where the other parties candidates were relying on pocket change for their run.
That, along with measures to redirect casino tax revenue away from (BADLY NEEDED) infrastructure and place it into a “discretionary” budget for them to use as they please. They did not win by much, but they won, and won enough that we’re going to be screwed.
So please, stop with the “Every loser sends a positive message!” It doesn’t.
Aires the Ram
Isn’t it funny, I live in RI and every day I hear Rhode Islanders bitch and complain about about the corruption and nepotism and waste and do-nothingness in our State and Local governments. But when these as$-&oles go to the polls on election day, they tick the lever for Democrats, time after time. Then return to bitching and complaining about the corruption and nepotism and waste and do-nothingness and taxes in our State and Local governments. They’re not the brightest bunch. Oh, and by-the-way, what happened to getting rid of the car tax, and what happened to getting new license plates, just to name a couple of things that got a lot of talk and no action? Oh, and giving National Grid rate increases every time they ask for them. And what about the failing Greater Providence YMCA system that got taken over by dirty democratic politicians and has been circling the drain ever since? But by God, it’s still a solid blue state today isn’t it?
Kangol
@Aires the Ram, wasn’t the grotesquely corrupt former mayor of Providence, Buddy Cianci, a Republican? And hasn’t Rhode Island repeatedly elected Republican governors? Lincoln Almond, Donald Carcieri, Lincoln Chafee (who left the GOP in disgust), etc.?
Lacuevaman
we got real close this time. mourn, learn, plan and move forward. onward!