Here in CA-17, Ro Khanna tried to unseat Mike Honda in a primary more than once. The second time he was successful. Khanna wasn't a newcomer to politics at the time. Abughazaleh is a political neophyte, making her near success all the more remarkable. I want to see more Dems like Abughazaleh. Of course not every one will be successful, and I'm dissappointed in the results in IL-09—but not surprised. I threw my own out-of-state coin into this race. I was more than a little invested.
Abughazaleh has built a lot of goodwill with angry Dems. I hope to see her leverage that. I am tired of wunderkinds disappearing from view after one disappointing night. Politics is a long game, a lesson Dems are loathe to learn over and over again.
(Note: This is a copy/paste of a comment I made on another blog, lightly edited for typos)
Oh that's too bad I was really pulling for her she's such a breath of fresh air! I certainly hope she's not done because the Democratic Party needs more people like her in the fight. She should have a bright future ahead of her, she's inspiring for grumpy old guys like myself! Go Kat. Get 'em next time!
I found Kat’s campaign— and this post— touching and encouraging. She is telling the truth, and many of us are heartened by how fiercely she fought not just to win, but to help her neighbors. I hope she’s not discouraged and will keep fighting.
I think I have similar thoughts in my own district. I'll be completely fine with voting for Foushee in November, and don't have any particular issues with how she votes, but Allam would have been someone who fights more vocally about what she believes in, and if NC is going to stick all of the progressives in like 3 districts, we may as well send someone who will fight for us vigorously. Both Allam and Kat ran really strong campaigns and got really close, and I'm sad that they both lost. Hopefully they both have success in the future.
I really wish I understood why democratic primary voters have so much trouble letting young energetic people win in safe seats
For me, as a former Brit and long-term Labor Party supporter, seeing candidates like Kat do so well warms my heart. I'm tired of having to hold my nose and vote for Democrats just because they are not Republicans. I look forward to voting FOR (progressive) democratic candidates in the future.
Kat ran a remarkable campaign. The idea of a campaign headquarters that also served as a mutual aid hub is huge, and I really hope that becomes a model for future campaigns.
I'm disappointed in the outcome, but so grateful to Kat for her uniquely positive approach to a congressional run.
I voted for Kat, disappointed in her loss, but glad she was doing things right in so many ways and wish we could get a LOT of similar voices in our government. Hoping for future races.
To me, the salient fact is this: she did more for people in her district than most actual elected officials do. I come from a district where it couldn't be clearer that my rep doesn't care about her constituents, she only cares about pandering to the rich and powerful. Kat had a real, tangible effect on people's lives. The fact that far too many politicians aren't in it for the people couldn't be clearer when failing to be elected rather than failing to actually help anyone is seen as the ultimate loss.
I must've accidentally dismissed the notification that this piece went live. Apologies. I feel like after Kat lost, there was a real rush to dogpile on her. Carpetbagger. Not a serious candidate. What I saw, though, was a dedicated, passionate, and principled individual. I was pulling for her, and I hope she learns from this campaign and comes back stronger. She's a genuine inspiration.
Thank you for this piece Parker. Your exquisite writing amplifies Kat's ethical campaign. I too hope that she will run again and that others will be inspired by her visionary and effective model.
Biss is not a good person though with what I consider a pretty important metric. He took something like $460K from AIPAC or their affiliated lobbies. But I suppose he's honest - once bought he stays bought.
Here in CA-17, Ro Khanna tried to unseat Mike Honda in a primary more than once. The second time he was successful. Khanna wasn't a newcomer to politics at the time. Abughazaleh is a political neophyte, making her near success all the more remarkable. I want to see more Dems like Abughazaleh. Of course not every one will be successful, and I'm dissappointed in the results in IL-09—but not surprised. I threw my own out-of-state coin into this race. I was more than a little invested.
Abughazaleh has built a lot of goodwill with angry Dems. I hope to see her leverage that. I am tired of wunderkinds disappearing from view after one disappointing night. Politics is a long game, a lesson Dems are loathe to learn over and over again.
(Note: This is a copy/paste of a comment I made on another blog, lightly edited for typos)
Oh that's too bad I was really pulling for her she's such a breath of fresh air! I certainly hope she's not done because the Democratic Party needs more people like her in the fight. She should have a bright future ahead of her, she's inspiring for grumpy old guys like myself! Go Kat. Get 'em next time!
I found Kat’s campaign— and this post— touching and encouraging. She is telling the truth, and many of us are heartened by how fiercely she fought not just to win, but to help her neighbors. I hope she’s not discouraged and will keep fighting.
I think I have similar thoughts in my own district. I'll be completely fine with voting for Foushee in November, and don't have any particular issues with how she votes, but Allam would have been someone who fights more vocally about what she believes in, and if NC is going to stick all of the progressives in like 3 districts, we may as well send someone who will fight for us vigorously. Both Allam and Kat ran really strong campaigns and got really close, and I'm sad that they both lost. Hopefully they both have success in the future.
I really wish I understood why democratic primary voters have so much trouble letting young energetic people win in safe seats
Cosigned as a fellow North Carolinian.
Love this piece. And love Kat for her campaign. And love you too for being the awesome person you are, Parker.
We absolutely CAN do things differently.
And that matters SO much.
What is now isn't what HAS to be.
What CAN make things that don't suck.
And we will.
For me, as a former Brit and long-term Labor Party supporter, seeing candidates like Kat do so well warms my heart. I'm tired of having to hold my nose and vote for Democrats just because they are not Republicans. I look forward to voting FOR (progressive) democratic candidates in the future.
Kat ran a remarkable campaign. The idea of a campaign headquarters that also served as a mutual aid hub is huge, and I really hope that becomes a model for future campaigns.
I'm disappointed in the outcome, but so grateful to Kat for her uniquely positive approach to a congressional run.
I voted for Kat, disappointed in her loss, but glad she was doing things right in so many ways and wish we could get a LOT of similar voices in our government. Hoping for future races.
To me, the salient fact is this: she did more for people in her district than most actual elected officials do. I come from a district where it couldn't be clearer that my rep doesn't care about her constituents, she only cares about pandering to the rich and powerful. Kat had a real, tangible effect on people's lives. The fact that far too many politicians aren't in it for the people couldn't be clearer when failing to be elected rather than failing to actually help anyone is seen as the ultimate loss.
I must've accidentally dismissed the notification that this piece went live. Apologies. I feel like after Kat lost, there was a real rush to dogpile on her. Carpetbagger. Not a serious candidate. What I saw, though, was a dedicated, passionate, and principled individual. I was pulling for her, and I hope she learns from this campaign and comes back stronger. She's a genuine inspiration.
Thank you for this piece Parker. Your exquisite writing amplifies Kat's ethical campaign. I too hope that she will run again and that others will be inspired by her visionary and effective model.
Biss is not a good person though with what I consider a pretty important metric. He took something like $460K from AIPAC or their affiliated lobbies. But I suppose he's honest - once bought he stays bought.