Election Day produced surprises, concessions, and a ballot box full of lessons to unpack
In his bid to unseat two-term incumbent Sen. Ted Cruz in Texas, Rep. Colin Allred had no bigger champion than his wife, Alexandra Eber ’11, a politics major at Occidental. But he had some additional help on the Oxy front from Alex Woo ’25, a diplomacy and world affairs and economics double major from South Korea, and Quinn Sumerlin ’26, a politics major from Arlington, Va.
Allred came up short on Election Day in ruby-red Texas, one of several high-profile Senate races supported by Campaign Semester participants. In Columbus, Ohio, Katherine Lackey ’27, an undeclared major from Portland, Ore., worked on the Sherrod Brown reelection campaign—one of the most expensive Senate races in U.S. history. Brown lost his seat to Republican Bernie Moreno, who captured 50.2% of the vote.
On the plus side for the Democrats in Arizona, Rep. Ruben Gallego held off former TV news anchor Kari Lake to win an open Senate seat vacated by Independent Kyrsten Sinema. But the results were mixed in the Grand Canyon State, as President-elect Donald Trump avenged a 2020 loss to Joe Biden to win by more than 5 percentage points.
Rosa Hochschild ’27, a critical theory and social justice and politics double major from Berkeley, worked for UNITE HERE Arizona, the hotel and restaurant workers union that campaigned on behalf of Democratic candidates in swing states and districts. Reflecting on the presidential race, she writes, “Part of me feels very disappointed that the election has turned out this way, but part of me is also really looking forward to a growing movement with the workers union. Just because we lost this election does not mean that the movement that fueled my campaigning ends.
“The most enjoyable part of this experience was getting to know the members of the workers union,” she continues. “It feels incredible to be surrounded by people from all walks of life who have been joined together by their shared values. I am leaving this experience with tons of friends, who I am lucky to have learned from and grown with.”
There was good news for several Tigers working on a number of congressional races. Sadie Medros ’27, an undeclared major from Arlington, Mass., was on political newcomer Eugene Vindman’s winning campaign in Fredericksburg, Va. Caden Slater ’27, an undeclared major from Danville, helped Rep. Jared Golden score a fourth term in Congress. The Marine Corps veteran has served in Maine’s 2nd Congressional District since 2019.
Likewise, Ana Byers ’26, a history major from Bainbridge Island, Wash., and Lelia Pedersen ’26, a politics major from Issaquah, Wash., helped Rep. Angie Craig win a fourth term as the U.S. representative from Minnesota’s 2nd Congressional District. Fun fact: Craig has enlisted more Campaign Semester volunteers than any politician not named Obama. Why argue with success?
Top photo: Newly elected U.S. Senator Ruben Gallego, left, with Rosa Hochschild ’27 in Arizona.
