by Paul Weber, President & CEO
What last week’s elections tell us about what’s ahead for 2018
Full disclosure: I grew up in Jersey.
And while it breaks my heart to see the Garden State continue its liberal slide, it’s not surprising that the Left ran the table last week. Outgoing Governor Chris Christie has only a 14-percent approval rating — proof that political scandal (Bridgegate), constant cross-party fighting, and undermining your voter base has consequences.
But the election outcomes in Virginia, Georgia and Washington should cause Christians alarm.
Here’s why:
- Virginia: The liberal candidate won the open governorship, winning with higher than expected margins. But the real surprise was that liberals appear to have picked up at least 15 seats in the state House. And this is not just a partisan change. Several defeated conservative legislators were strong family advocates, while the liberals who won ran in the opposite direction – including the nation’s first openly transgender lawmaker.
- Washington: Liberals also won a special election giving them control of the state Senate. Now, the House, Senate and Governor’s office are controlled by the Left.
- Georgia: In special elections, liberals won three state legislative seats that were previously held by conservatives.
Nationwide in 2017, Democrats have now won 30 legislative seats that had been held by the GOP.
Is this a preamble to what will happen in 2018? To listen to the media, it certainly is! But it doesn’t have to be that way if you — and friends like you — determine to take a stand and generously support Family Policy Alliance, today!
Yes, we could try to justify that these gains are explained by the natural pendulum swings following presidential elections. Or — as the establishment media would have you believe — that this is a referendum on President Trump’s policies.
But remember, conservatives added more than 900 state legislative seats during the Obama era. That demonstrates that when we stay engaged and activate voters to the polls, we can impact the leadership of our nation.
Still, Tuesday’s elections should set off alarm bells for those who care about life and religious freedom.
- A deeper dive in Virginia shows that, although conservative areas of the state voted just as conservatively as usual, or even more so, turnout in those areas was down. That reveals a lack of engagement is a significant problem. This will continue in 2018, unless we get engaged, today.
- On the other hand, the widely reported voter enthusiasm on the Left was evidenced by Democrats’ claim that they doubled the number of voter contacts in Virginia compared with four years ago. That only happens as a result of two things: more donations and more volunteers.
- The results of the last three mid-term elections illustrate how voter engagement makes a difference. In 2006, Democrats took control of the U.S. House, gaining 31 seats. In 2010, Republicans reclaimed control of the U.S. House, with a net gain of 63 seats. And in 2014, Republicans took control of the U.S. Senate by adding 9 seats, the largest gain in the Senate in decades.
You and I can help shape what happens in 2018. Your support of Family Policy Alliance will motivate pro-family voters to be engaged in key races throughout the nation.
Since 2009, our targeted and strategic election work has provided a measurable and significant lift to pro-family voter turnout. That will be more important than ever in 2018. Can I count on your support today?
True — I grew up in Jersey. But I – and our alliance of state organizations – will never give up on serving and protecting the family and the values we hold dear nationwide. Won’t you stand together with us today with your financial support?
