The Impact of Progressive Candidates in the Deep South: Lessons Learned from Gillum, Abrams, and O’Rourke

Headline: Progressive Candidates in the Deep South May Have Lost, But Their Impact is Far-Reaching

In a historic election night in the Deep South, progressive candidates Andrew Gillum, Stacey Abrams, and Beto O’Rourke may not have emerged victorious, but their impact goes beyond the ballot box.

Gillum aimed to become Florida’s first Democratic governor in two decades and the state’s first black governor, while Abrams sought to break the GOP’s hold on power in Georgia and become the country’s first black woman governor. O’Rourke vied to unseat a sitting senator in Texas and become the state’s first Democratic senator since 1993.

Despite their losses, the presence of these rock-star candidates with progressive platforms had a real effect on down-ballot races. Progressive ballot initiatives on issues like gerrymandering, medical marijuana, minimum wage hikes, Medicaid expansion, and criminal justice reform received bipartisan support in several states, outperforming the Democratic candidates running for statewide office.

The results also show that running more moderate candidates may not have provided better outcomes for Democrats. Incumbent Democratic Senator Bill Nelson in Florida, a moderate politician, is in danger of losing his seat to a Republican governor, despite his bipartisan reputation.

The campaigns of Gillum, Abrams, and O’Rourke mobilized low-propensity voters and engaged new groups in the political process, laying the groundwork for future success. Even if Abrams does not win her election, the organizing bases built by these candidates will continue to impact state politics in important demographic states.

While the trio may have lost their respective races, their influence on progressive policies and voter engagement is likely to shape the future of the Democratic Party in the Deep South and beyond.