Open letter to House and Senate Democrats

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Dear Representative Maxine Dexter, Representative Hakeem Jeffries, Senator Jeff Merkley, Senator Ron Wyden, Senator Chuck Schumer, all other Senate and House Democrats:

Appreciation and congratulations are in order: To the voters for believing in democracy and the election system. To the state and local officers who ran the elections (mostly) smoothly. To the Democratic leadership who recruited strong candidates and made strategic investments even in red territory. To the candidates who offered viable alternatives to Trumpism. Not forgetting those who may not feel like winners today, but nonetheless accepted defeat peacefully and democratically.

But an electoral victory—even one this much needed, and of this magnitude—is just a beginning. What happens next will matter deeply. My down-the-ballot vote on blue is not unconditional. It must be re-earned in future elections. And I am certainly not alone.

The upcoming Congress will carry my hopes and expectations, and those of most other Americans. While we don’t all think alike, most of us agree that Congress should listen to voters and act in the People’s interest. And we might further agree that, as voters, we just sent a few clear messages: solve pocketbook issues; stop wars of choice; stop arbitrary tariffs; stop corruption; protect civil rights; be sensible on immigration; and more.

Commonsense messages like these require from you ‘focus-and-deliver’ answers. The challenges ahead are tremendous. You need commitment, creativity, and leadership to deliver solutions.

That starts with choosing both Senate and House leaderships wisely. The choice should be wide open, without being divisive. Senator Schumer and Representative Jeffries are natural candidates, given their current positions and successful electoral strategy. But, as learned in 2024 with the ‘now-Biden-then-Harris’ candidacy, suppressing competition is a bad strategy for party and country.

Please let other candidates also emerge—in fact, encourage them to step forward if qualified. Let each candidate present their vision and platform. Then choose who—objectively—is best positioned to deliver for voters and country, starting January and into 2028 and beyond.

Importantly, don’t drag the process or make it a drama. Even more importantly, rally behind the winners—whoever they are, with unity, not rancor. With egos left at the door.

As a non-affiliated voter who has unambiguously advocated for flipping Congress blue this election, I wish you well—for the benefit of the Democratic party, country and world.

With best regards,

Antonio Baptista (OR-3^rd voter)

Acknowledgment: This text was adapted, with focus on leadership, from my broader opinion piece entitled “Our pens were mighty. What now?”