To The Editor:

We all know Democrats won big on Election Day, nationally and locally. Let’s remember why.

They didn’t win because voters “moved to the left.” Just like Republicans didn’t win in 2024 because voters "moved to the right." Republicans won in 2024 because people were frustrated with how expensive everything was and didn’t like how the economy was affecting them. Democrats won in 2026 for the same reason, just like they did after the 2008 financial crisis. While social issues matter to plenty of people for good reason, elections like this were won and lost on kitchen table issues. Voters punished whoever was in power when the economy hurt.

So, congratulations to Michelle, Julie, and Rob for their wins. However, I urge you to remember this when you take office and the social issue and environmental activists who backed you come calling. Sure, activists do a lot of organizing. But it’s swing voters who put you in office. You didn’t win because activists turned out their people. You won because enough voters stopped trusting Republicans with the economy. Things are just too damn expensive, and people don’t feel as secure in their jobs as they used to.

Grievance and identity politics can work when you’re out of power, and can even work when you’re in power while the economy is doing good enough. It backfires hard when the economy turns sour. So keep asking yourselves: how do I bring up wages and job security, and bring down the cost of putting a roof over our heads, food on the table, heating and cooling our homes, and going to the doctor? Should voters trust you to make their lives better in concrete material ways? You have 2 years to make that case. Good luck.

Samuel S. Grummons

Newtown