Democratic Mayors Association Celebrates Historic Night for Dems and Previews the Work Ahead
Democratic Mayors Association Celebrates Historic Night for Dems and Previews the Work Ahead
WASHINGTON—Today, Wednesday, November 4, 2026, the Democratic Mayors Association (DMA) congratulates the Democrats who won up and down the ballot last night. In the largest midterm performance since Watergate, Democrats dug deep into Republican strongholds and not only won, but won convincingly. Powered by record margins, Democrats won from Kansas to South Carolina, Maine to Texas and just about everywhere in between.
“Tuesday’s midterm election results delivered a clear message from the American people that want practical solutions that make their lives better, cost-of-living relief, and real accountability in government.” said DMA Board President and Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas. “The midterms were a complete repudiation of Republicans’ and Washington elites’ approach to governing. Democratic mayors across the country look forward to working with a Democratic Congress to invest in affordable housing, infrastructure, public safety, education, and an economy that works for all.”
Democratic mayors running for higher office had a massive showing last night and will bring their expertise as mayor to their new office. Former Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms was elected to be Georgia’s next governor, becoming the first Black woman to be elected governor in U.S. history. She will immediately take on Georgia’s arcane abortion ban, expand Medicaid, and strengthen rural health care in the state. Other Democratic mayors winning last night included:
In Pennsylvania’s 8th District, Scranton Mayor and former DMA Board Member Paige Cognetti defeated an incumbent Republican congressman by eight points.
In the Garden State, Cape May Mayor Zack Mullock flipped New Jersey’s 2nd District, a seat where the incumbent Republican won by 17 points just a year ago.
In North Carolina, High Point Mayor Cyril Jefferson pulled off one of the biggest upsets of the night, defeating a Republican in a gerrymandered district that no Democrat even ran in last cycle.
Former Hartford Mayor Luke Bronin is headed to Congress to represent Connecticut’s First District.
Daniel Biss was elected to represent Illinois’ 9th District after serving as Evanston’s mayor for five years.
Salt Lake City’s former mayor, Ben McAdams, is returning to Congress in Utah’s 1st District.
At the state level, Kaua’i Mayor Derek Kawakami won his bid to become Hawaii’s lieutenant governor.
Former San Antonio Mayor Ron Nirenberg rode the blue wave in Texas to become Bexar County Judge, taking the reins of the state’s fourth biggest county.
Democrats also had big nights in critical mayoral races across the country. Jeremy Matlow won last night to become Tallahassee’s next mayor. Former Florida Governor Charlie Crist became Mayor-elect in St. Petersburg. Also in the Sunshine State, Steven Giordano flipped the mayor’s office in one of Florida’s fastest growing cities, Port St. Lucie. Reno elected Kate Marshall to replace their mayor who held the seat for a dozen years.
