All Politics Is Local

A few significant things have happened politically over the past few months.  Roy Moore was defeated in the Alabama senate race, Ed Gillespie was defeated for governor of Virginia, and as of January 11, 2018, 31 Republican senators and members of the house, have decided not to run for re-election.  In particular, Darryl Issa has just announced he will not run for re-election in San Diego and Orange County.  I attribute the latter to the work of our local Indivisible group that has been picketing his office, trying to meet with Issa, and putting tremendous pressure on Isaa ever since Trump's election.  We think  we had a lot to do with his decision NOT to run again.

It's significant that 31 representatives have thus far said they will not run again.  Whether they're going to be primaried by other Republicans, or whether they don't support the president, or whether they fear strong Democrats opposing them, they are bowing out.  It is also significant that over 2,500 women have shown interest in running for office.  I do believe this will be a break out year for women.  They have found their voice.  To quote the movie Network, "They're mad as hell and not going to take it anymore.

It's time for young men and women of all races and religions to step forward and run.  We need new blood.  Enough of the good ole boys!  It all starts at the local level, with groups like Indivisible rallying around local candidates.  Regardless of party, we need new faces, fresh faces, people without big donors to be beholden to.  Am I dreaming?  Probably, but we've got to start somewhere.  Let's start in our own district and flip the 49th.