I told you so.

Once Trump’s approval ratings went under 40% a blue wave was inevitable. As his ratings cratered towards Truman-Nixon-W country, a blue tsunami was inevitable. Neither of the recent Democratic presidents who suffered a midterm shellacking was as wildly unpopular as the Kaiser of Chaos in 2026. Clinton and Obama recovered and won reelection. It’s unlikely that the GOP can recover in one election cycle from this debacle but they’ll eventually recover if they kick the MAGA habit. It’s the pendulum of American politics.

One of my mantras throughout the campaign is the post title: Candidates matter. What candidates. What a victory.

The senate candidates were among the best group of my lifetime. Nobody expected Dr. Annie Andrews to win in South Carolina. It was assumed that the Palmetto State was permanently ruby red. Nothing is permanent in politics. Andrews’ upset win was fueled by Lindsey’s kid sister’s incompetence and indifference. The author of her defeat is an Insult Comedian with a nutria pelt atop his head. He thought he had the magic touch in red states and that the nepo-senator would win. Thanks for being an arrogant idiot, Donald.

Candidates matter.

In Kansas, Adam Hamilton made HISTORY in all capital letters. The Sunflower State hadn’t elected a Democratic senator since another wave election in 1932. Hamilton won because Roger Marshall was a terrible candidate as well as a loan shark with a stethoscope. Hamilton radiated decency and compassion whereas Marshall acted as if he was entitled to the seat because he had an R next to his name on the ballot.

Candidates matter.

In Texas, Democrats finally harpooned their white whale by taking the senate and gubernatorial races. Texas GOPers were arrogant, complacent, and entitled. They should have seen James Talarico and Gina Hinojosa coming but they assumed they owned Texas politics permanently. Nothing is permanent in politics, especially when President Pennywise placed such a foolish bet on Ken Paxton. Thanks, Donald.

Candidates matter.

In Iowa, Trump’s tariffs and war kicked the shit out of the Hawkeye State’s economy. Excellent candidates for the governorship and senate led to victory last night. Come on down, Rob Sand and Josh Turek. They’ve put center-left prairie populism back on the map.

Candidates matter.

In Georgia, Jon Ossoff started the cycle as the most vulnerable Democratic incumbent. He won in a landslide. Keisha Lance Bottoms made history by becoming the first Black woman elected Governor in the whole damn country. Gubernatorial history was also made in California where Xavier Becerra became the Golden State’s first Latino governor.

Candidates matter.

In New Hampshire, my countryman Chris Pappas made history by becoming the first out gay man to be elected to the Senate. I hereby claim him as kin: there are Pappases in my family tree, after all. Cousin Chris was derided as a normie Democrat by those obsessed with outsider candidates but he ran a steady and consistent race that may have ended the Sununu dynasty in the Granite State. Nothing is permanent in politics.

Candidates matter.

In Ohio, Sherrod Brown became the oldest comeback kid in American political history and Dr. Amy Acton struck a blow for decency by taking out tech bro asshole Vivek Ramaswamy. Welcome back to the senate, Sherrod. Welcome to political infamy, Vivek. Fuck yeah, Ohio.

Candidates matter.

In Maine, Troy Jackson wasn’t as good a candidate as the ones I’ve already enthused over BUT his sincerity and persistence took out another white whale, Susan Collins. Early in the evening I told Dr. A that the blue tsunami would drown Runaround Sue. It did.

Candidates matter.

In Michigan, I can say I told you so again. There was much hand wringing among the chronically online after Haley Stevens’ self-immolation. I expected it to backfire. It did and Abdul El-Sayed won the race making history as our first Muslim senator.

Candidates matter.

A quick shout out to Roy Cooper in North Carolina and Peggy Flanagan in Minnesota both of whom were expected to win. Cooper won his 7th statewide race and Flanagan made history as the first Native American woman elected to the senate.

Candidates matter.

In Mississippi, the senate race remains undecided after Scott Colom ran a spirited campaign against lackluster GOP incumbent Cindy Hyde-Smith. As of this writing, Colom has a narrow lead. A revolt among Black voters in the South was one of the big stories in 2026. A win in Mississippi would be the cherry on the sundae. Stay tuned.

Candidates matter.

I was right about the nation but wrong about Louisiana. Jamie Davis came close to winning when I thought he’d be lucky to reach 40%. The sarcastic thanks in the Gret Stet go to The Clownfish DBA Jeff Landry. Julia Letlow was nearly invisible during the general election as Gret Stet GOPers assumed they had it in the bag. They came close to pulling a Dewey. Some Louisianans on my social media feeds are complaining about the lack of national support. If that had happened, GOPers might have been roused from their slumber and turned out.

I remain skeptical about the Louisiana Democratic party’s ability to capitalize on Davis’ near upset. Dropping the ball has been their jam for years.

Grassroots organizing matters.

It’s time to revive Howard Dean’s 50 state strategy after what happened last night, especially in the South. Texas is suddenly a battleground state without which Republicans cannot win the presidency. Fuck yeah, America.

Repeat after me: Nothing is permanent in politics.

Candidates matter.

The last word goes to Tom Jobim followed by Oscar Peterson:

Have I told you lately how much I love Oscar Peterson? That goes for the blue tsunami as well.