From SEIU 1021 President Theresa Rutherford:

As the results of the 2026 midterm elections continue to roll in, we are witnessing a reckoning. This is a historic moment, one we must savor and celebrate, and we must not take it for granted.

While not all the elections are called yet, one thing is clear—the American people have taken a stand against hatred, bigotry, and the divisive narrative that sought to weaponize our diversity; instead, we have chosen to be stronger together.

Here in California, we can look to such victories as Yes on Prop 3, which upholds a tax on the state’s highest earners to help fund our schools, healthcare, and other critical services; the voters also resoundingly defeated Prop 39, which would have silenced immigrant, Black, and brown voters, and voted down Prop 43, which would have harmed our ability to raise revenue to fund public services. Voters also approved the critical Regional Transit Measure, which will ensure Bay Area public transportation stays funded.

These elections have ushered in a wave of historic firsts that further reject this corrupt administration’s attempts to pull apart the fabric of our country for its own gain. 

From the first Black woman elected governor of Georgia, to the first Native American woman elected governor, the first Latina elected governor of Texas, the first Latino elected governor of California, the first Black governor of Wisconsin, the first woman elected governor of Ohio, the first Muslim American elected to the U.S. Senate, the first Native American woman elected to the U.S. Senate, and the first openly gay man elected to the U.S. Senate, we are seeing a powerful shift toward a diversity of voices and backgrounds. And, thanks to U.S. Senate candidate Angie Nixon, who narrowly lost, but whose wildly powerful campaign influenced down-ballot races, even Florida is seeing a progressive shift.

This is not an accident. This reflects the relentless effort that working-class people like us put in across this country.

Here in Northern California and across America, communities stood up to fear and intimidation and showed up for each other.

What was meant to be a polarizing move to harm, divide, and disenfranchise us, and scare us from coming out to the polls, had the opposite effect. 

The people of this country showed up and said, “enough is enough.” Our members played a critical role in getting out the vote and organizing these efforts. 

Our work in the field and across unions nationwide highlights why labor must be at the forefront and why union members must be involved: when we work together, we are unstoppable. That’s the power of the people. This election is irrefutable proof.

Yes, this is a celebration, but this is also a fresh call to action. Now that we have control of the House and the Senate, we must take a moment to breathe in these victories and pause, then embrace the momentum to keep building a stronger, better country for all.

In the words of Dolores Huerta, ¡Sí se puede! ✊

In solidarity,
Theresa Rutherford
SEIU 1021 President