On Election Day, voters in Washington and across the country rejected conservative extremism and took a stand for the 99%. While we didn't win every race, we won most of the big ones and showed that we can defeat conservatives' deep pockets when we come together and organize for progress.
Fuse members rocked this election. Together, we made tens of thousands of phone calls against Initiative 1125, knocked on thousands of doors in Spokane, funded TV ads in Bellingham and mail in Bellevue, and supported an ambitious online outreach program across the state. Here are the highlights and lowlights:
- Tim Eyman and Kemper Freeman lost to common sense and transit. Eyman's I-1125, funded by $1.2 million from conservative developer Kemper Freeman, would have undermined transportation projects and blocked light rail to the Eastside. Fuse members made tens of thousands of phone calls and played a huge role in defeating this dangerous initiative. And just as importantly, we sent a message to legislators and the media that Tim Eyman doesn't represent the people of Washington.
- We also went toe-to-toe with Kemper Freeman's millions in the Bellevue City Council races. Kemper has been obsessed with blocking light rail to the Eastside for decades. As part of his last-ditch effort, he bankrolled a slate of conservative, anti-transit candidates for City Council. While one of the races is still close, it looks like all three of our pro-transit candidates will win. This victory is testament to the fact that hard work and grassroots organizing can still overcome millionaire conservatives.
- Environmental values win in Whatcom County. Christina Maginnis has pulled ahead of her conservative, developer-backed opponent in a County Council race that has big implications for the environment. Conservative business interests are also taking losses in another council race and the County Executive's race.
- Beyond Washington, voters rejected conservative extremism in every corner of the country. In Ohio, voters overwhelmingly repealed a union-busting law pushed by the Koch brothers and corporate special interests. In Mississippi, voters rejected an extreme "personhood" measure. In Maine, voters overturned a regressive voter suppression law. And in Arizona, voters recalled the author of the state's blatantly discriminatory anti-immigrant law. Voters across the country want leaders who will focus on creating jobs and rebuilding our economy, not divisive wedge issues.
- Of course, we couldn't win every race. Despite our best efforts, we were unable to re-elect Mayor Mary Verner in Spokane. In the end, a series of negative news events and devastating media coverage were simply too much to overcome. The only consolation there is progressive Ben Stuckart's election as Spokane City Council President.
- Costco's $22 million purchase of a win on I-1183 is also disturbing. Following a precedent set with I-1107 and I-1053 last year, it appears that businesses are now simply calculating their returns and spending whatever it takes to win on the ballot in Washington. It's hard to find a better example of the need for stronger regulation of our campaign finance system.
In the end, Tuesday was a pretty good day for all of us working to create a more progressive future. But it's also just one step in the right direction. We're already planning and organizing for the upcoming legislative session and the 2012 elections. We're starting early because we know that our challenges are great and our opponents have deep pockets. But this election shows that the 99% can succeed when we come together and organize for progress. That was the key to our victories on Tuesday, and with your help, it will also be our ticket to victory in 2012.