Dead Democrats win re-election
Republicans were dismayed Tuesday to find that the “Red Tsunami” widely predicted by experts was more like a Red Trickle as Democrats overperformed across the country. Even Democrat John Fetterman, a semi-coherent stroke victim who used taxpayer funds to vacation during lockdown, won his bid against Republican Dr. Mehmet Oz.
But the Democrats’ popularity was most evident when three deceased Democrats won their respective races in the ultimate election victory.
In the San Diego suburb of Chula Vista, Republican city attorney candidate Dan Smith found himself running against Democrat Simon Silva who died of cancer in September. Despite being aware of his death, the Democratic Party continued to promote Silva and campaign for him against Smith in the months since. Chula Vista Mayor Mary Salvas had a Silva campaign sign in her yard, and the Democratic Party continues to list Silva in its list of endorsements, according to KPBS.
"Misinformation by perpetuating this fraud on the voters of Chula Vista is potentially causing the expenditure of millions of dollars, which is a substantial amount of taxpayer funds," Smith wrote in a letter to the local party.
As of this report, Silva has a 149-point lead against Smith. If Silva wins, the local council will be forced to hold a special election which will cost taxpayers an estimated $2 million.
In Tennessee, Democratic State Representative Barbara Cooper kept her seat against Independent Michael Porter, even though Cooper died in October at the age of 93.
Similarly, in Fetterman’s Pennsylvania, Democratic State Representative Tony DeLuca won re-election in a landslide despite dying in October from lymphoma.
Democrats were moved by DeLuca’s victory.
“While we're incredibly saddened by the loss of Representative Tony DeLuca, we are proud to see the voters to continue to show their confidence in him and his commitment to Democratic values by re-electing him posthumously,” tweeted the Pennsylvania House Democrats. “A special election will follow soon.”
Many incumbent Democratic candidates remained popular enough to keep their seats even after imposing harsh restrictions on their citizenries, including New York Governor Kathy Hochul and Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer who, on two occasions, ignored her own COVID-19 restrictions to party and visit her family.
