I was sure John Fetterman would beat Mehmet Oz by less than 2 points, as Pennsylvania elections are often notoriously close. With 93.6% counted, he’s got a 3.2% lead. I enjoy being wrong in this case. It could tighten back up, but I now suspect that lead may actually grow as the mail-in votes are counted.
Thank you to the entire DKos community who donated time, money, and emotional support as we faced down a tough challenge from carpetbagging Mehmet Oz (R-NJ). You are truly an incredible group of people with great passion, wisdom, and experience. It has been reassuring to know you have had our backs all year long.
Fetterman is a major upgrade from Republican Pat Toomey for Pennsylvania. I was dreading the possibility of trading Toomey for 6 years of Senator Oz. Hopefully John can serve as the keystone to the new Senate majority if the other races fall the right way. Given Fetterman overperforming my expectations, I am now hopeful the others can pull through.
Two of my most noteworthy experiences this campaign:
- That moment standing outside our polling location yesterday with Democratic volunteers and voters out in force, when suddenly a car pulls up, and dude slinks out to duct tape two sad, pathetic Oz yard signs amongst the myriad of Fetterman and Dem placards we had neatly posted hours before. Not missing a beat, one of my fellow committee persons started spinning around like a twister was blowing her away to the Land of Oz, and crying out for help from the winds blowing her down the block. That’s some expert trolling and light hearted humor that diffused the situation. So much respect for that shade!
- Serving as designated agent to help my neighbor “cure” her ballot. She had her 3rd baby a full month premature, and just got out of the hospital to discover her mail-in ballot had been flagged for several mistakes in submitting it. No way I was letting her vote get erased, and no way I would let her be forced to go stand in line for who knows how long down at city hall. So, off on my bike I rode to stand in line for her, and deliver a new ballot. She delivered a baby, I delivered a mail-in ballot. Seems like I definitely got the easier side of that deal.
I’m glad I’m not the only one who is ready to admit their mistakes around here. We all feel good about it though.