While everyone in D.C. continues to bemoan the national elections, Democrats made progress on election day at the state level in blue and red states.
Colorado and Montana showed that Democrats can win in the west. In Massachusetts, Republican Governor (and potential 2008 contender) Mitt Romney raised and spent $3 million to defeat Democrats using the gay marriage issue. Instead, Republicans hold fewer seats than at any time since the 1860s. In New York, Democrats picked up 3 seats in the Republican controlled State Senate and a fourth seat is still up in the air.
Over the past couple weeks, there has been more positive news. In Virginia, a Democrat picked up the seat in the House of Delegates that was vacated by Thelma Drake who succeeded the notorious Ed Schrock. Democrat Paula Miller won the December 14th special election by 92 votes.
In Maine, a Republican State Senator switched from Republican to Democrat according to the Associated Press. Looks like there was no room for him in his party. He was too moderate.
AUGUSTA — Sen. Arthur Mayo of Bath, newly re-elected to a second term, said Tuesday he had switched his party registration from Republican to Democrat. "It's a change in affiliation. It's not a change in philosophy," said Mayo, whose move across the political aisle boosts the Democratic Senate majority in the new Legislature to 19-16.There is hope for progressives in the real world, that is, outside the beltway. National Democratic leaders and, especially the consulting class, should take a page or two from the work at the state level.
Characterizing himself as a longtime "liberal Republican," Mayo said "it has been increasingly difficult in the Senate Republican caucus" for someone of his political persuasion.
He said he believed the Republican Senate bloc has "moved to the right" and that at least some of his GOP colleagues had become uncomfortable with his voting and stances on some issues.
