Democrats Fare Better Than Expected in Midterms, And Maryland Elects A Black Governor

Before Tuesday night, there had only been two Black governors in American history. Voters in Maryland added a third with the election of Wes Moore, a 44 year-old former non-profit executive and author.

“I really think this guy is the future of the Democratic Party,” stated Ray Winbush, who is the Director of the Institute for Urban Research at Morgan State, one of the four HBCUs in Maryland. “He gathered the young vote as well as older voters … his campaign resonated with everyone.”

Moore, who is also an Army veteran, defeated Dan Cox who was backed by former President Donald Trump. But even Trump’s stamp of approval was overridden by moderate Democrats and independents who sided with Moore.

Moore is a Rhodes scholar whose book, “The Other Wes Moore,” examines his life and the life of another Black man also named Wes Moore. Their lives are dramatically different. The other Wes Moore is imprisoned for killing a police officer.

The newly elected governor’s campaign focused on policy changes — like free pre-K for all children – that offer opportunities to rewrite tragic narratives often rooted in educational, economic and social disadvantages.

Winbush explained, “He really understands policy, and he helps people understand it. He translates the language of government in a way that people understand.”

Moore’s victory was one of many wins for the Democrats who had been written off this election cycle by conventional wisdom. Political tradition has historically sided with the party not in power, making it the victor of the midterms. And there was little evidence this year would be different with Republicans forecasting a “red wave.”

“The red wave didn’t happen,” said Winbush.

Republican heavyweights like Senator Lindsay Graham and Senator Ted Cruz were forced to admit voters did not support their candidates in an overwhelming show of support.

Hours after the polls closed, there was still no clear majority in the House or Senate. Democrats bagged a major win when Pennsylvania’s John Fetterman defeated Dr. Mehmet Oz for the state’s Senate seat. Georgia’s Senate race was so close incumbent Senator Raphael Warnock and and football legend Herschel Walker will face each other in a runoff election December 6. And Democrats also performed well in several gubernatorial races including Maryland’s Moore.

President Biden’s aides and close friends were gleeful with the election outcome which vindicated the administration and appeared to dispute Mr. Biden’s low ratings in the polls.

According to Winbush, the Democrats underestimated “the accomplishments Biden had made” and the impact on women voters of the Supreme Court ruling to overturn Roe v. Wade.

“I think Donald Trump suffered the most last night,” Winbush said. “He always calls everyone else a ‘loser,’ but he was the loser last night.’”