This week, something incredible happened. Incredible to me, anyway. This week the United States of America experienced a generational change in national leadership. A younger cohort, including many members from the Millennial generation and Gen Z, won seats in the midterm election as state and national representatives and senators, and state governors. The newly elected reflect a notable blend not only of younger Americans, but women, people of color, and other historically underrepresented constituencies, which more accurately reflects the composition of today’s society.
What does all that stuff mean?
It’s like this, 9. Once newly elected people are sworn into office, the people administering state laws and creating and upholding national laws will come from backgrounds that better represent the people who live in this country.
That sounds fair.
I think so, too, Lily, and for some time now I worried that this kind of shift would never come. The University of Florida Election Lab estimated 124 million Americans voted in the 2026 midterm, approximately 63% of all registered voters.
That sounds like a lot. Is it a lot?
Yes and no. The total number of votes was greater than the two previous midterm elections in 2022 and 2018, but the overall percentage was down a bit.
Generational change in our national leadership? I vote yes.
It will take weeks, if not months or years, to figure out the demographic factors that led to what the media calls the Blue Tsunami. A rise in Democrats and a decline in Republicans who serve in the U. S. Congress was anticipated because midterms usually vote against whatever party the sitting president represents. But this time the results went well beyond the historically predictable churn.
Why, do you think?
Most of it seems to do with the economy. Prices for everything- -food, housing, medical care and fuel- -continue to rise while wages do not. Most people are struggling to stay sheltered, feed their families, and pay for needed medical care without going bankrupt. Voters were also angry about the extensive and, in my opinion, unnecessary war with Iran.
Now that a majority, in most cases a very clear majority, have sent the message to state capitols and Washington D. C., I especially hope those who control the House and Senate will use their power to enact legislation that makes life easier for people. It’s up to all of us to keep an eye on our senators and representatives, thank them when they get something positive done and express our concerns, even our anger, if nothing changes. Voting is just the first step in exercising our rights as citizens.
Because right now people are hurting and there’s a lot of work to do.
It’s possible there’s been one positive step forward already. Wider than usual margins between winners and losers, with very few races so close they may require a recount, might encourage voters to feel more confident in the voting process itself. In the past decade there’s been so much attention, so many resources, given to election doubters whose claims of “stolen” elections continue to be proven groundless. When margins are narrow, it’s easy for those on the losing side to fall into this rhetoric.
You mean they say it’s unfair if they lose?
Yes, it’s that simple.
I, personally, am heartened by the overall midterm results. Gerrymandering and intimidation tactics did not prevent voters from going to the polls. At last Americans are waking up and saying enough is enough. There’s unity in so much of people want and need right now- -affordable food, housing and medical care; the end of economy-damaging wars and tariffs. Essentially, the most basic needs of existence.
The future arrived on Tuesday night. I hope everyone who reads this is ready to roll up their sleeves and help make this country a more equitable place for all of today’s Americans.
100 percent to everything you just wrote. Plus this: as this younger, more diverse generation of leaders gets to work, I believe they will show far less (zero?!?!?!) tolerance for name-calling, bullying, crudeness and vulgar language. They were all raised to know better.