OPINION: Hope won

As you read this, it is Wednesday. The final vote has been cast and Americans have a better idea of who will lead us all into the future.

Yet, as I write this, it is Monday, and our community and nation are still nervous about so many unknowns. 

I don’t know the outcome of the elections, but I know this: hope won. 

Politics, at its best, elevates and empowers people. And if that is the measure of success, Democrats won hands down this election.

We had candidates; we had volunteers; and we had financial support.

This election was a turning point in Idaho politics, and it is only the beginning. More people than ever before felt empowered to speak up about the issues that matter. Idahoans in their thousands said, “enough” to the far-right’s unchecked political power. 

Locally, our candidates knocked on hundreds of doors throughout three different North Idaho counties, extending a hand of fellowship to both Democrats and Republicans. Many of these local voters had never experienced any political candidate personally reaching out to them before — ever. The simple act of listening is unbelievably powerful. 

This outreach led to conversations that had never happened before. During these front-door conversations, Democrats were unmasked as regular people. Once you speak to someone face to face, the far-right’s caricature of Democrats melts away. There is far more that unites us as human beings than divides us as members of a political party.

Hope won as the Kootenai County Democrats blossomed into a well-oiled outreach machine, attracting a raft of remarkably talented new volunteers. Each deserves our sincere thanks for their selfless work. 

These volunteers took on the daunting task of personally calling every local Democrat, who hadn’t already voted. We were determined to make sure that every voter felt empowered. In the four days before the election, we made more than 1000 outbound phone calls.

This election, we have been relentless in listening to voters. More families felt their concerns were heard, more people were encouraged to use their voice, more women knew that someone understood their health care and we all bridged countless political divides. 

In these efforts to listen, Democrats created a stark contrast to Republicans. Most Republican incumbents didn’t bother to show up for moderated candidate forums. They didn’t spend their precious spare time knocking on doors or making hundreds of phone calls. They didn’t respond to requests for public debates. And for the second year in a row, the Idaho Statesman proudly endorsed Democratic Congressional Candidate Kaylee Peterson — her Republican counterpart didn’t bother to show up for the interview. 

Can Republican candidates still get a free pass to the Idaho Legislature without actively campaigning? Unfortunately, that answer may be yes. However, this election cycle was different. There was a tangible shift in voters’ willingness to remain silent and unheard. 

This is not the end of our advocacy. In fact, it’s just the beginning. People in Kootenai County deserve to have their voices heard. 

What happens if we win? We keep working. What happens if we lose? We keep working. Because civic involvement at its best is more than just winning elections. Democrats are determined to hold those in power accountable and give voters a choice not just this November, but every November to come.

Looking forward, we encourage people to donate non-perishable items to our annual holiday food drive, Nov. 16 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Ramsey Park South Lot (closest to the Kroc Center). Rain or shine, we will be there working to make a difference in our community. 

Democrats are determined to elevate politics to its highest ideals — to make a positive difference in people’s lives. And if that is the measure of success, hope won. Let’s build on this momentum as we continue to work toward a More Perfect Union.

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Evan Koch is chairman of the Kootenai County Democrats.