Ulster County

Driving back from the victory celebration I couldn’t help smiling at each Delgado for Congress sign.

The weather was miserable for most of the day which we all know is not good for Democrats. I opened the office at 7:15am and prepped the turf sheets. The first shift was scheduled for 8am. And they came. All day. Midday volunteers came back from knocking doors with soaking literature and coats ready for another turf. 107 volunteers did over 3,200 doors.

But was it enough? Sullivan County is red. The large Hasidic community votes Republican - Israel. The campaign prioritized the relatively large African American vote in Monticello that traditionally under-votes their numbers in this predominantly or should I say overwhelmingly white district. Somehow one of the large complexes had their apartment numbering and mailboxes changed which didn’t get changed on the voter lists. Our canvassers had major problems finding the doors of our hundred plus Delgado voters.

At 8 o’clock the last canvassers checked back in totaling 121 turfs. Unbelievable.

We got to the Election Night party at about 10pm. Early tallies had us up by a couple points. Anxious and excited and hopeful. And at about 11pm CNN called it for Antonio. The room went wild! I yelled, jumped up and down, cried and laughed. We worked so hard. And winning feels like nothing else.

The Sheriff’s race was called just before ours and Figueroa, who is new to politics, had just gotten up on stage to speak. He gave a passionate speech about protecting everyone and bring justice and equality front and center. There is a new Sheriff in town. Stirring and poignant.

The crowd chanted Del-ga-do, Del-ga-do, until Congressman-Elect Delgado came around the corner with his wife Lacie up to the stage. Pandemonium. He delivered a humble, gracious, and heartfelt oration. The whole beautiful and diverse crowd cheered and shouted and cried.

I’m writing this on the plane heading back to Portland where it was a good night too. Kate, JoAnn, defeat anti-sanctuary and abortion measures and passing climate change jobs. Nice work Portland.

We are clawing our way back. I’m deeply thankful that we took the House and added some new women and people of color to lead. And as hard as we all worked this cycle, we have to double-down and build organizations to keep moving in the right direction.

I pledged to fight like hell this election. I believe I made a difference.Read more