Republicans have built a campaign to squelch hard earned freedoms

Freedom helped Democrats prevail in 2022 midterms.

Echo opinion published the Akron Beacon Journal

Democrats defied the pundits, who said their message wasn’t connecting with voters. 

And the Democrats defied history, which portended huge losses for them in the midterm elections as the party in power. Why? Because Democrats united behind a compelling and consistent narrative of the midterms as a showdown over protecting our freedoms, with the Dobbs abortion decision underscoring the stakes. 

Moreover, the January 6th hearings provided another marquee view of precisely what Trump Republicans support and the dire threat we faced.

From our freedom to decide if and when to have children to our freedom to provide for our families to our freedom to make our voices heard in free and fair elections, Democrats have made a wide range of issues personal and potent. They made it clear that the election was a crossroads between Trump Republicans who want to take us backward and voters committed to moving us forward and protecting our freedoms.

Democrats’ victories in passing the Inflation Reduction Act and lowering student loan debt has strengthened their resolve and made clearer the contrast between voters' desires and Trump Republicans' aims.

Democrats across the country, and especially in battleground states, created a consistent drumbeat, repeating “Protect Our Freedoms” through social media, in person events, advertising, and organizing.

The efficacy of zeroing in on “freedoms,” putting Trump Republican villainy front and center, affirming voters as agents with power, and confronting right-wing divide to conquer tactics resulted in wins across the country. Democrats believed that Americans valued their freedom, and they were right!

From Susan Gallagher, Akron Ohio