November 2014

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In November 2014, major U.S. Democrats were involved in several significant political activities, primarily centered around the midterm elections and key policy actions. Below is a concise overview of their notable activities, based on available information:
Midterm Elections (November 4, 2014): Democrats faced significant losses in the 2014 midterm elections, often referred to as a "red wave" election due to substantial Republican gains. The Democratic Party lost control of the U.S. Senate, with Republicans gaining a net of nine Senate seats, the largest Senate gain for either party since 1980. In the House of Representatives, Democrats lost a net of 13 seats, resulting in the Republicans achieving their largest House majority since 1928. At the state level, Democrats lost control of ten legislative chambers and two gubernatorial seats, leaving the party with the smallest number of state legislatures under its control since 1860. Voter turnout was historically low at 36.4%, the lowest since 1942, which particularly impacted Democratic candidates. President Barack Obama acknowledged the low turnout as a factor in the losses but noted it provided little comfort to his party.

Key Democratic Figures and Election Outcomes:
Senate Losses: Five Democratic incumbents lost re-election to Republicans, including Senators Mark Pryor (Arkansas), Mark Begich (Alaska), and Mary Landrieu (Louisiana, who lost in a December runoff). These losses were attributed to Obama’s low approval ratings, particularly in Southern states, where exit polls showed only 40% or less approval in key states like North Carolina and Iowa.

House of Representatives: Notable Democratic losses included Representatives Ron Barber (Arizona 2), Joe Garcia (Florida 26), John Barrow (Georgia 12), Brad Schneider (Illinois 10), and Bill Enyart (Illinois 12), all defeated by Republican challengers. Additionally, 16 Democrats retired from their House seats, with some running for other offices, such as Bruce Braley (Iowa 1) and Gary Peters (Michigan 14), who both ran for U.S. Senate.

Mayoral Elections: Democrats had mixed results in major city mayoral elections. In Louisville, Kentucky, incumbent Democrat Greg Fischer was re-elected to a second term. In New Orleans, Louisiana, incumbent Democrat Mitch Landrieu was re-elected on February 1, 2014. In Washington, D.C., Democrat Muriel Bowser won the mayoral election after defeating incumbent Vincent C. Gray in the Democratic primary on April 1.

Notable Primary and Nomination Activity: In Massachusetts, Democratic incumbent John F. Tierney lost renomination to Seth Moulton, who then won the general election, maintaining a Democratic hold. In Hawaii, Lieutenant Governor Brian Schatz, appointed to fill a Senate vacancy, narrowly defeated Congresswoman Colleen Hanabusa in the Democratic primary (48.5% to 47.8%) and went on to win the general election. In Georgia, Michelle Nunn, a prominent Democrat and CEO of Points of Light, won the Democratic Senate nomination but lost to Republican David Perdue in the general election.

Policy and Executive Actions:
Immigration Reform: Two weeks after the midterm elections, President Obama announced executive actions on immigration, which had been delayed earlier in 2014 at the request of red-state Democrats facing tough re-election campaigns. These actions aimed to lift the threat of deportation for up to 5 million undocumented immigrants and allow them to work legally. The move sparked significant backlash from Republicans, with figures like Senator Ted Cruz criticizing it as effectively “counterfeiting immigration papers.”

Response to Election Results: Obama addressed the election results, emphasizing the low voter turnout and expressing a commitment to working with the new Republican-controlled Congress. However, the Democratic Party’s losses were seen as a reflection of dissatisfaction with Obama’s leadership, particularly in red states where his approval ratings dragged down Democratic candidates.

Controversies and Legal Issues:
Voter Fraud and Harassment: In Chicago, election judges reported receiving automated phone calls between October and November 3 with false voting instructions, raising concerns about voter suppression. In Pontiac, Michigan, local Democrats reported voter harassment and intimidation by Republicans questioning legally cast ballots, requiring police intervention.

Roderick Wright Resignation: California State Senator Roderick Wright (Democrat) resigned in September 2014, just before the elections, after being sentenced to 90 days in jail for perjury and voter fraud. Despite his conviction earlier in the year, he had been allowed to take a paid leave of absence, drawing criticism.

Party Dynamics and Voter Trends:
The Democratic Party struggled with low voter turnout, particularly among their “boom-and-bust” coalition of young, minority, and less-engaged voters, which contrasted with higher turnout in presidential years. This was a major point of concern, with experts noting a lack of faith in politics among the electorate. Democrats also faced challenges with working-class white voters, a demographic they continued to lose ground with, exacerbating their electoral difficulties in 2014.

A Pew Research Center analysis highlighted that 32% of Americans identified as Democrats in 2014, compared to 39% as independents and 23% as Republicans. However, Democrats maintained advantages among Black, Hispanic, Asian, well-educated, and Millennial voters, though their overall voter base was shrinking, with a decline of 800,000 registered Democrats from 2008 to 2011.

These activities reflect a challenging period for Democrats, marked by electoral setbacks, strategic policy moves, and internal party struggles, set against a backdrop of increasing political polarization and low voter engagement.