Primaries Favored Democratic Women, Newcomers, Non-Establishment Candidates

This week’s primaries in Georgia, Kentucky, and Arkansas and primary runoffs in Texas yielded a strong showing for women on the Democratic ticket, newcomers to political office, and candidates who did not have the support of their party leadership.

The outcome may hint at what to expect from general elections in the autumn.

Ladies’ Night & Establishment Snubs

Georgia

• In Georgia’s much-discussed Democratic gubernatorial primary, Stacey Abrams won a landslide victory over Stacey Evans, opening a path for her to become the nation’s first African-American woman to serve as governor.
• Abrams’ winning strategy was a gamble, relying on a registration drive among voters who normally don’t go to the polls.
• It went against the conventional Democratic Party strategy of winning back rural white voters who were once party loyalists, cobbling together a multiracial coalition of voters.
• It remains to be seen if Abrams’ approach can secure her a win in the general election.

Kentucky

• Amy McGrath, a former Marine fighter pilot, defeated Mayor Jim Gray in Kentucky’s House primary, despite national Democrats' support for Gray.
• Turnout in some rural counties was double that seen in the 2016 presidential primary.
• The Washington Post quipped, “How often is turnout in a midterm congressional primary higher than turnout in a competitive presidential primary? Don’t bother checking — it doesn’t happen.”

Texas

• In a somewhat uncommon move, Vice President Mike Pence threw his support behind Bunni Pounds, a conservative activist vying for a low-profile Texas House seat.
• Despite Pence’s endorsement, Pounds lost.

The Teachers’ Revolt

Kentucky’s embattled teachers scored a series of wins, including one in which the Republican leader of the state House lost to a teacher. The New York Times called it “a sign that the uproar over public education in red states has not yet subsided — and may only be starting to ripple at the ballot box.”

What Do You Think?

Are you happy with your party’s leadership, or are you moving toward non-establishment candidates? Do you think newcomers to elected office are a good thing, or do you prefer seasoned politicians to represent you? Are you a non-voter who has decided to go to the polls this year? Hit Take Action, then share your thoughts below.

—Sara E. Murphy

(Photo Credit: Alpha Stock Images)