Sen. Bonham: Takeaways from national election

By Oregon State Senator Daniel Bonham
& Oregon Senate Republican Caucus Leader,

As the dust starts to settle from this year’s election (and Thanksgiving dinner), I wanted to take some time to reflect on the state of the nation. There is much to unpack, but I wanted to reflect on some key takeaways and thoughts.

1. The nation wanted something different – Not untypical in the ebb and flow of political appetites, voters were given a very real question if they felt like the nation was going in the right direction – voters overwhelmingly said no and wanted change.

2. Fringe issues were not resonating – Instead of addressing inflation, rising costs, world wars and everyday concerns – National Democrat campaigns hoped to run on fringe social issues that affect a small percentage of Americans – and isolated many people on their focus in the process.

3. People rebuked the past eight years of public shaming — Since 2016, people who did not agree with Leftist Liberals were called every slur in the book – racist, sexist, homophobe and more — the average person was tired of being gaslighted for simply disagreeing with their policies.

4. The party of the elite left everyday people behind — The Harris campaign relied on celebrity endorsements, star-studded rallies and twerking by Megan Thee Stallion to rally the vote — seeming out of touch with working-class Americans who are struggling in the current economy.

Policies matter. The American people matter. When either party moves too far into the fringe and ignores the basic needs of their residents, the people respond. That is the beauty of democracy. This is not a time to gloat, nor should it be a time to point fingers. Our nation is in a real crisis and it is time to roll up our sleeves and work to better the lives of all Americans. Republicans who were elected to fix the economy, secure the border, and de-escalate foreign conflicts need to deliver – while not adding to our national debt.