You’re Welcome. Signed, DSA

A red wave did materialize Tuesday night, just not the one pundits expected. DSA-endorsed campaigns saw huge victories across the country – the protection of abortion rights in Kentucky, the increase of the tipped minimum wage in DC, a sweep of DSA candidates in the Twin Cities, and more. 

 While we wait for final results, a few lessons from the wins we’ve already seen:  

• DSA fights for abortion – and wins. Kentucky voters decisively defeated a ballot measure that would have stripped away the right to an abortion, and voters in Montana are on track to do the same. In both elections, DSA chapters led the way on voter outreach, contacting more than a million  voters in Kentucky and sending nearly 300,000 texts in Montana. 

• Organized people beat organized money. In DC, Metro DC DSA led the fight in support of Initiative 82, which raises the tipped minimum wage for workers across the city. The measure won overwhelmingly – by almost a 3 to 1 margin – despite special interest opponents spending $700,00 to defeat it.   

• Socialists win up and down the ballot, and across the country. From state senators to U.S. representatives to presidents of the city Board of Aldermen, DSA showed that socialist issues can win at any level and anywhere. 

• DSA allows us to fight back together. Across the country, endorsed candidates and campaigns collaborated to share lessons learned. Our abortion ballot measure work, in particular, was deeply rooted in DSA’s leadership in the winning fight in Kansas earlier this year. Chapter leaders from across Kansas, Kentucky,  and Montana met regularly to share strategies and hone their tactics. Being part of a national organization means shared lessons, shared momentum, and shared solidarity from across the country.