As we know you are, we are devastated by Tuesday’s results. While we continue to process those results and what comes next, two words surface for us right now--community and relationship.
At this moment, we see the need to refocus our collective energy into our relationships with one another and to build resilient community, so we can care for one another in the years ahead. We encourage you to do the same.
If nothing else, Tuesday’s results told us that a determinative portion of the electorate, not just in Texas but across the country, is rejecting what the Democratic party has offered, which is nothing at all in many communities. We take no comfort in the results, but we do feel vindicated. This election proves our theory of change… there is no Democratic message, where there is no messenger.
Our tiny organization, with under $200,000 a year has had an outsized impact—last year we traveled the state to talk to rural communities about running for office. We saw dozens of candidates step up where no Democrat had run in many cycles, and we assisted 25 candidates in getting on the ballot. This year, we supported nearly 100 candidates with training programs and peer support. We endorsed 55 and provided GOTV texting programs to 34.
But a single candidate working alone across 80+ counties cannot build Democratic infrastructure and support overnight.
We have said from the beginning that our work at Blue Horizon won’t be accomplished in a single or even handful of election cycles. The far-right has spent decades building and consolidating power. We must do and expect the same, and now an even greater level of investment will be required to stand up to rising authoritarianism. That does not mean abandoning our principles or our commitment to the most vulnerable, but instead expanding our investment and outreach into communities—both where we have been absent AND where we have taken support for granted. It means being creative, and present, and steadfast.
We’re still mapping out what’s next for Blue Horizon in this new reality, but we know the next year will revolve around local races.
It will be essential to have elected officials at the local and state level who will stand up for our communities on issues of climate, clean air, and clean water; our civil, reproductive, and human rights; public schools, teachers, and kids; our community health and safety; and more.
At Blue Horizon, we’ll continue to build our database so local activists can know well in advance what will be on the ballot and proactively recruit candidates to run for school boards, city councils, municipal water and utility districts, and library and hospital districts.
And we’ll continue to provide a community of information and support to those who step up to run.
Blue Horizon candidates have already begun the work of rebuilding the Democratic party in the farthest reaches of the state. In the past, many former candidates were so demoralized from a lack of support that they didn’t want to run or even be involved in politics again. But in this moment, we are hearing from multiple candidates who have energy and resolve and are already planning their next run. This is how we rebuild the party and stand for democracy in an uncertain future.
We feel deep pride and gratitude to everyone who stepped up and ran for office this cycle. We see your courage, bravery, sacrifice, and patriotism. We know that has meant time away from your families and livelihoods. We want you to know it matters. It was our honor to support you all, and we look forward to continuing to do so in whatever is next for you.
We are also grateful to everyone who has donated and volunteered to make this work possible. We couldn’t do it without you.
Soon we will be scheduling an event for our candidates, volunteers, board, and donors to connect and share your reflections on what was effective and where we should focus our energy in the months and years to come. We hope you will join us.
With love and gratitude,
Stephanie and Claire
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