Weeks before Tuesday’s midterm election, At-Large Philadelphia Councilmember Nicolas O’Rourke got a sense of what was to come when a MAGA-supporting barber told him that people who normally voted Republican were preparing to vote Democratic.
“That gave me a heads-up that something was afoot,” O’Rourke recalled. “I expected a win, not a tsunami.”
On Tuesday, Democrats captured both chambers of Congress, reelected Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro and seized the state Senate for the first time since 1993, giving the party control of the governor’s office and both legislative chambers.
The results did not escape the attention of Philadelphia area-elected officials.
“Trump told us to vote like he was on the ballot. So, we did,” Councilmember Jamie Gauthier declared. “Life is too d*mn expensive.”
Councilmember Jamie Gauthier —CITY COUNCIL
Gauthier, whose District 3 includes West and Southwest Philadelphia, accused President Donald Trump of cutting food and health care assistance while favoring billionaires.
“They (the Trump administration) sent monitors, but we sent voters,” she said. “And together, we created a wave so big and so blue that it washed MAGA right out of Congress and out of Harrisburg, too.”
Pennsylvania Democrats expanded their state House majority from 103 seats to at least 111 and flipped three Senate seats for a 26-24 advantage. Nationally, Democrats secured at least 54 Senate seats, winning races in Republican strongholds including Texas and Kansas.
The results exceeded his expectations, but O’Rourke warned Democrats against confusing a rejection of Trump with unconditional loyalty to their party.
“You keep (loyalty) by delivering on what people ask you to do,” he told The Tribune. “Not just hearing but doing what the people are telling you. It’s a clear mandate, and you have to deliver on that.”
O’Rourke cited a woman who said gasoline consumed a quarter of her weekly income and warned that rising diesel costs were driving up consumer prices. “When my money is funny, and change is strange, I’m going to feel a way about that,” he said.
No excuses
With Democrats expanding their state House majority and flipping three Senate seats in Harrisburg, At-Large Councilmember Isaiah Thomas immediately challenged the School District of Philadelphia’s planned closure of 17 schools under a $3 billion, 10-year facilities plan approved in April. The plan also calls for modernizing 169 buildings.
“Now we don’t have Republicans controlling the Senate, no reason to close 17 schools now,” Thomas insisted in a phone call with The Tribune.
He also called for action on health care, wages, women’s rights and economic development.
At-large member of City Council Katherine Gilmore Richardson —CITY COUNCIL
City Council Majority Leader Katherine Gilmore Richardson identified education, public transit, the maternal health-focused Momnibus Act and generational wealth as priorities.
“For too long, the political makeup of our state and federal legislatures has stood in the way of progress, making it harder to advance the policies our communities need and deserve,” Gilmore Richardson said.
She celebrated the election of women and candidates from historically underrepresented communities.
“I am especially excited to see a historical number of women and people from historically underrepresented communities breaking barriers and stepping into positions where they can help shape the future of our country,” she said.
“We have an opportunity to turn this momentum into meaningful action and make real progress for the people we serve, and we are ready to continue that work.”
Keisha Lance Bottoms was elected governor of Georgia on Tuesday, making history as the first Black woman to be elected governor in the United States, defeating Republican businessman Rick Jackson and flipping the top job in a key swing state.
At-Large Councilmember Rue Landau called for statewide LGBTQ+ nondiscrimination protections, higher wages and increased education and transit funding.
“Pennsylvanians sent a clear message last night about the direction they want our Commonwealth to take,” Landau told The Tribune. “With Governor Shapiro’s decisive reelection and Democrats securing a historic trifecta in Harrisburg for the first time in more than three decades, we have an extraordinary opportunity to deliver real progress for working families.”
“Rejection of chaos, corruption and cruelty”
At-Large Councilmember Nina Ahmad called the results a rejection of the “chaos, corruption, and cruelty of MAGA Republicans. “What we witnessed last night was a course correction, away from divisive and hateful politics, and towards a brighter future, where people, not billionaires, have the final say on what is right for America,” Ahmad said.
Ahmad urged action on wages, abortion rights, education, transit and universal health care.
At-Large Councilmember Kendra Brooks campaigned across Pennsylvania for Working Families Party candidates, whose organizers knocked on more than 400,000 doors, she said. “I’ve said one thing over and over – anything is possible. Last night, voters proved it,” Brooks told The Tribune.
Brooks said newly elected progressive candidates, including Sierra McNeil and Chris Johnson, could help advance wages, SEPTA funding and higher taxes on wealthy corporations. “I truly believe that when working people come together, we win big things,” she said.
District 7 Councilmember Quetcy Lozada praised students who registered voters and worked election boards.
“Twelve schools registered more than 50% of eligible voters,” Lozada said in an email to The Tribune. “Yesterday, those students helped drive turnouts and worked election boards—and we should all be proud of their leadership, civic engagement, and commitment to our community.”
Black and Hispanic communities had suffered under Trump administration policies, Lozado said. “Voters showed up. Voters spoke, and their voices were impossible to ignore,” she said.
Councilmember Mike Driscoll, whose district covers parts of Northeast Philadelphia, emphasized cooperation with incoming lawmakers.
Councilmember Michael Driscoll —CITY COUNCIL
“We are pleased with Tuesday’s election results and look forward to working with all newly elected officials to address the issues that matter most to Philadelphia residents,” Driscoll told The Tribune. “Our focus remains on strengthening our neighborhoods, supporting working families and small businesses, and ensuring that Philadelphia’s needs and priorities are represented in Harrisburg and Washington.”
Council President Kenyatta Johnson said the victories could strengthen Philadelphia’s influence over education, housing, transit and public safety. “It will create a historic opportunity starting in January for greater alignment between our city, Harrisburg and Washington, D.C.,” Johnson said.
“Voters expect results, not political victories alone,” he said. “They expect elected officials to work together, listen to their communities and deliver meaningful improvements in people’s lives.”
The biggest smile
In Harrisburg, the election positions two Philadelphia lawmakers to help direct billions in state spending. State Sen. Vincent Hughes is expected to chair the Senate Appropriations Committee in January, while state Rep. Jordan Harris will chair the House Appropriations Committee.
State Rep. Roni Green told The Tribune she went to bed at 3:30 Wednesday morning with the biggest smile on her face. “We’ve been fighting for an increase in minimum wage for years,” said Green, whose 190th District includes parts of West and Northwest Philadelphia. “Now we have an opportunity to do something tangible that will improve the lives of families in Pennsylvania. We can start with $15 on a pathway to $20. That will put real money in the pockets of working people.”
“I think we have the greatest organizing tool ever, and that’s Donald Trump,” she said. “He’s offended everyone on the planet.”
State Representative G. Roni Green —CITY COUNCIL
“The young people showed up and showed out yesterday,” Green added. “People are hurting and looking for answers. They are coming to fight and make change, and we’re not the same Democratic Party.”
State Rep. Morgan Cephas said Senate Republicans had repeatedly blocked legislation passed by House Democrats.
“For far too long, we in the state House have passed legislation that would improve the lives of Pennsylvanians, only for it to get stalled in the state Senate,” Cephas told The Tribune. “That ends now.”
State Sen. Art Haywood said Democratic control could advance affordable housing, SEPTA funding, reproductive rights and higher wages.
“We have changed directions to make the lives of our neighbors better,” Haywood told The Tribune. “Our swearing-in is in January, but the work for change has already started.”
State Rep. Andre Carroll, whose district includes Germantown, Logan and West Oak Lane, demanded policies that reward Black voters’ political influence.
“Last night’s blue wave was a mandate for Democratic leadership and a powerful affirmation of the political power of Black voters in shaping our democracy,” Carroll said.
“We cannot continue to ask Black voters to show up for us without showing up for them through policies that confront systemic inequities and expand opportunity,” he added.
Fetterman-proofed
The national victories also diminished the leverage of Pennsylvania Sen. John Fetterman, whose breaks with Democrats have frustrated party activists.
“We just Fetterman-proofed the US Senate,” wrote state Rep. Malcolm Kenyatta, who lost the 2022 Democratic Senate primary to Fetterman.
With at least 54 seats, Democrats could retain Senate control even if Fetterman broke with the party. He has repeatedly pledged to remain a Democrat.
“SIRI, what’s bigger than a tsunami?” Kenyatta wrote.
When a friend asked whether Kenyatta believed in miracles, he replied, “Nope. I believe in us.”
Skye Perryman, president and CEO of Democracy Forward, praised voters and election workers who resisted what she described as attempts to undermine participation.
“This election is a victory for the entire country,” Perryman said.
“Democracy is built every day between elections,” she said. “People across the nation have helped their neighbors, showed up for their communities, and made demands for change that must be answered.”
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