Big Night for Obama AND Texas Progressives

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You failed, Mitch. Last night, thanks to over 59 million Americans, you and your supporters bet against America and lost. With four more years of President Obama in office, our future is in better hands and we create the opportunities every generation deserves.

But the re-election of President Obama wasn't the only victory worth celebrating last night. Great progressive candidates and causes won across Texas because of your hard work and constant involvement. Here's just a few:

  • State Senator Wendy Davis defeated Tea Party extremist Mark Shelton in the biggest state-level race in Texas.
  • Congressman-elect Pete Gallego defeated Tea Party extremist Quico Canseco in the biggest national-level race in Texas - along with our partner Presente, we made thousands of calls to unlikely voters in that district.
  • Progressives in the Texas House won back 7 seats, the largest election day swing for progressives in recent memory - though, the Texas House is still split 95-55, in favor of Republicans.
  • Mayor Julian Castro's Pre-K measure passed in San Antonio, and State Senator Kirk Watson's Travis County health care proposition passed in Austin.
  • Almost every bond measure in Texas' major cities to raise more revenue for our basic needs and infrastructure passed.

There were many more victories - on LGBT rights, in the U.S. Senate, and with the defeat of Grover Norquist-style tax measures - from across the country. We'll be putting those together and posting them on our website in the coming days.

This Friday, we'll host a briefing in Austin - along with a webinar you can sign up for - to recap the election and talk about the work we'll be doing for the upcoming Texas Legislature and throughout 2013.

Over the past 2 years, we have built tools and found progressives in every corner of our state ready to fight back and communicate progressive values. We have launched a tool to call voters and get them engaged. There are Progress Texas members in nearly 90% of the counties of Texas. It is time for us to make our voice heard and presence felt in our communities, in Austin, in the press, and in Washington. Change starts today because we will work together to make it happen.

In 2014, all of our statewide elected officials are on the ballot. That includes Gov. Rick Perry, Lt. Gov David Dewhurst, Comptroller Susan Combs, Land Commissioner Jerry Patterson and so many more. Many judicial candidates and the State Board of Education will be on the ballot, not to mention every member of the State House and much of the State Senate.

Friday, we'll talk about how to take our momentum from Election Day and carry it into 2013. RSVP to attend our briefing live, or to sign-up for our webinar as statewide and national leaders discuss what's next.

Democracy doesn't end at the voting booth - civic engagement is a year-round job. So, as we head into the holidays, take a much earned rest because we need you in January. The fight continues in Texas because Texas needs you to keep on fighting.

Thank you so much for everything you do. Our goal for a better future continues.

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