What an election! The bright spot for local fans of democracy is that Jefferson County’s voter turnout of 87% was the highest in the state. We edged out San Juan County!

Local Democratic voters like me have a lot to celebrate. Every Democratic candidate on our ballot was elected ... except one. Kamala Harris won 71% of our county vote and every single precinct. Nevertheless, voters in other states have a say in these things, so we’ll have Republicans in the White House and congressional majorities.

The silver lining of this very dark cloud is that we won’t have to endure weeks of uncertainty about the election outcome or worry about another Jan. 6 assault on the capitol.

One ray of sunshine for Democrats is that we elected Adam Bernbaum to the legislature and Emily Randall, a state senator, to the U.S. Congress. They were both on our ballot for the first time. They both did well in robust primaries for these open seats. And they’re both under 40.

What of that dark cloud? We have to wonder what a second Donald Trump presidency will mean for our state, the nation, and the world. Washington is clearly not Trump territory and he is known for being vindictive. Trump underperformed every Republican on the statewide ballot. His two endorsed candidates for congress lost in Republican districts. Attorney General Bob Ferguson clipped Trump’s wings in court many times, and he’ll soon be governor.

As a parting gesture during the 2020 wildfires, Trump withheld our federal disaster relief. How will Trump treat us now?

We know that Trump says a lot of provocative things to distract us, but we must take him at his word when he says he will exceed his constitutional authority on Day One and that he will use the federal government, including the military and the justice department, to serve his personal ends.

In the months and years ahead, we are counting on the remaining institutional guardrails and the integrity of those sworn to uphold the U.S. Constitution. We are still counting on the press to see through the smoke and mirrors. And we need to work together to protect what’s most important.

Locally, we are organized and ready to defend the constitution, the rule of law, and the separation of powers. We stand ready to oppose policies and programs that harm our neighbors and the common good.

The local group Indivisible Port Townsend has been resisting the Trump agenda and defending democracy since 2017, and a lot of new people came to November’s meeting. Members track issues of concern and follow elections across the country. At meetings, they inform each other about what’s going on and suggest actions that support or oppose policies and programs. This group coordinates the local volunteer postcard effort that saw 15,000 cards mailed this year.

Indivisible Port Townsend meets at 5 p.m. on the second Tuesday of every month at Unity Center, 3918 San Juan Ave., Port Townsend. The Dec. 10 meeting is a holiday potluck.

Remember those pink pussy hats and the Women’s March in 2017? Marches like this will be taking place across the country on January 18. Port Townsend organizers are putting together a People’s March on Saturday, Jan. 18 from 1-3 pm. The march will meet up Tyler Plaza and proceed to a rally at Pope Marine Plaza. 

During the campaign season, the Jefferson County Democrats Headquarters was the hot spot for tourists and locals looking for good company and Kamala lotus signs. We watched the Democratic National Convention every night, hoping for a glimpse of three national delegates from Jefferson County. The friends we made and the work we shared give the party a strong foundation for what’s ahead.

The Jefferson County Democrats will kick off the biennium by electing officers and a new board on Sunday, Dec. 8 at noon at Blue Heron Middle School, 3939 San Juan Ave., Port Townsend.

The reorganization of the Democratic party will continue with elections at each level through March 1, when new officers of the Democratic National Committee will be elected. The work ahead includes a lot of damage control, but the Democratic coalition can find the real remedy in the next two elections. The 2026 midterm will be a doozy.

At least the “Big Lie” has been laid to rest. We anticipate a peaceful transition of power in January. If there are any Republicans still reading, I hope they will join us in expressing appreciation for the competence and integrity of the people who manage our elections at the Jefferson County Auditor’s office.

Bruce Cowan is chair of the 24th Legislative District Democrats.