This election night, though it has its disappointments, is shaping up to have some really exciting wins for the future of the Democratic Party. One of those Lauren Underwood, an early Daily Kos endorsee who has triumphed in Illinois’ 14th Congressional District, defeating Republican incumbent Randy Hultgren.
Daily Kos endorsed Underwood specifically as a long shot—the kind of candidate who might just be able to expand the map in a wave year. She’s the youngest black woman running for Congress this year, and as a registered nurse and former Obama administration health care official, with a pre-existing condition of her own, she'll bring expertise and passion to defending the Affordable Care Act.
That Underwood made this race competitive was impressive. But she did more: She won.