As Democrats are taking stock of their wins and losses in the midterms, it’s important not to overlook the incredibly amazing thing that happened in Texas on Election Day. Of course, what’s dominating the news is the story of Beto O’Rourke’s disappointing loss to awful Lyin’ Ted Cruz. While that remains upsetting (unfortunately, we’re stuck with another six years of the Zodiac Killer), we must not let it overshadow the historic wins by 19 black women that night.
These 19 black women were running for positions as judges around the state. Seventeen of them were running in Harris County—the largest county in the state and the third-largest county in the country. All 19 won! This is progress and nothing short of amazing, especially in a part of the country where Democrats had long thought it was impossible to win.
Seriously, the fact that 19 black women were elected as judges in Texas, 17 in one Texas county alone, is phenomenal—for so many reasons. Not just because it means that we finally get more much-needed diversity in our judicial system, but also because, according to BuzzFeed, it means that Harris County has now “effectively turned blue, with all 38 district judges elected being Democrats, including the 19 black women who won.” We are changing the South forever with these wins and turning Texas more blue at the same time!
What’s also really important to note here is that people of color represent 70 percent of the population in Harris County. For the first time ever, its judicial system will be reflective of the population.
The 19 black women who won on Tuesday are Sandra Peake, Judge Ramona Franklin, Judge Maria Jackson, Germaine Tanner, Angela Graves-Harrington, Cassandra Holleman, Tonya Jones, Dedra Davis, LaShawn Williams, Latosha Lewis Payne, Linda Dunson, Toria Finch, Erica Hughes, Lucia Bates, Ronnisha Bowman, Michelle Moore, Sharon Burney, Shannon Baldwin, and Lori Chambers Gray.
Harris County also elected Lina Hidalgo, a 27-year-old immigrant from Colombia, as county judge. Hidalgo defeated her Republican opponent, who was an 11-year incumbent. History was made on Tuesday across the country, beyond our wildest dreams. Black women are still incredibly underrepresented in our democracy. And given the voter suppression and marginalization of communities of color everywhere, this is a really big gain.
So don’t fret too much over Texas. The Senate race didn’t go how Democrats hoped, but Beto will most certainly be back. And while Ted Cruz remains in office (for now), black women are leading and in control. Black women continue to inspire and give people something to hope for, vote for, and work toward.
And that is worth celebrating and considering a huge win! #BlackWomenLead