Women voters, young voters, and voters of color just bucked history.
Not only did we prevent the “red wave” that usually comes with a Democratic president, but we have already picked up a seat in the Senate! We also won all of the reproductive freedom ballot measures, even in red states like Kentucky and Montana.
We knew we were in the majority in this country, and last night, our organizing theory was proven right: When we speak directly to voters about gender justice issues that matter to them–including reproductive freedom–we win at the polls.
Thanks to our work together, we:
Won the four reproductive freedom ballot measures we campaigned for in California, Kentucky, Michigan, and Vermont.
View this post on Instagram
Broke many glass ceilings and made history in Florida, Maryland, Massachusetts, New York, Pennsylvania, and Vermont.
View this post on Instagram
Helped elect the following UltraViolet PAC-endorsed candidates:
Senate
Michael Bennet, Colorado
Maggie Hassan, New Hampshire
House of Representatives
Maxwell Frost, Florida
Bill Foster, Illinois
Delia Ramirez, Illinois
Elissa Slotkin, Michigan
Mikie Sherrill, New Jersey
Kathy Manning, North Carolina
Chrissy Houlahan, Pennsylvania
Summer Lee, Pennsylvania
Greg Casar, Texas
Jasmine Crockett, Texas
Jennifer Wexton, Virginia
Governor
Laura Kelly, Kansas
Janet Mills, Maine
Gretchen Whitmer, Michigan
Michelle Lujan Grisham, New Mexico
Tina Kotek, Oregon
Josh Shapiro, Pennsylvania
Tony Evers, Wisconsin
Congratulations to all the candidates, as well as the organizers and volunteers who helped them win their seats! Now we need to hit the ground running.
It could be weeks before control of the House of Representatives is decided, so we need to take advantage of the final months of a guaranteed Democratic majority and convince both chambers of Congress and the White House to codify Roe v. Wade and guarantee reproductive rights for all.
We will continue to counter disinformation and misinformation against women leaders, particularly Black women and women of color leaders, who, as we saw yet again, face steep barriers such as misogynistic and racist stereotypes and tropes in attack ads. In addition, corporations need to be held accountable for profiting from disinformation and funding anti-abortion candidates.
We plan to forge ahead with our vision of the inclusive democracy and future we know is possible. We will continuously pressure decision makers in the private and public sectors to advance inclusive and progressive policies, and to protect our rights and democracy. We will continue to have the backs of progressive women champions so they become the decision makers who use their power to permanently enshrine the rights and freedoms we need to thrive.
We know that these are lofty goals, but we must remember that our political opposition–the white supremacist, misogynist religious right–took 50 years to stack the Supreme Court and overturn Roe v. Wade. We have a solid movement that we must continue to nourish. Future generations are counting on us!
Please keep showing up, keep taking action, and stay hopeful. Thank you for helping get us to this point and for being a part of the UltraViolet community!