Today, everyone will be studying the losses in Virginia and New Jersey -- and the devastating loss on marriage equality in Maine -- to see what it means for Democrats in 2010. Pundits will conclude what we here at Progressive Majority see every day at voter's doors. People are very worried about the economy. They are ready to hold politicians accountable. They voted for change once and they'll do it again.

The fact is, this could be good news for progressives in 2010.  People still want to vote for people they can believe in.  They still want change.  These are the kinds of progressives we identify to run and, because we do, our candidates win in tough years, in even tougher districts. 

Progressive Majority had 45 candidates on the ballot yesterday. Over half of them won their elections and three races are too close to call. Click here to view full election results.

Voters proved again that progressive values are winning values.

Progressive Majority is the only national organization focused solely on recruiting and electing progressive majorities at the state and local levels. As a supporter, yesterday's wins are yours to celebrate too. 

Yesterday, 23 Progressive Majority candidates were elected to office and flipped control of three local governments.  Three races are still too close to call.

Most notably:

• After a rash of hateful and cowardly attacks -- in the form of anonymous flyers taped to voters doors -- Jim Llanas prevailed over two conservative candidates in Maplewood, Minnesota.  Jim now joins 2007 Progressive Majority candidate John Nephew on a city council that has shifted in just two years from one of the most conservative in the state to one of the most progressive. 
• In Washington, well known progressive leader Julie Anderson, a member of the Tacoma City Council, defeated conservative Jan Shabro, a former state legislator, for the critical office of Pierce County Auditor. Because the auditor oversees the elections in the 2^nd most populous county of the state, and because it historically has been at the forefront of electoral reforms such as ranked choice voting and vote-by-mail, it is an essential office to hold.
• A new wave of young, progressive candidates is evident in Ohio.  Greg Holcomb (26) and Marcus Madison (22) were elected to city council positions in Lorain and Elyria. These dynamic candidates are demonstrating the political appeal and growing power that our next generation of progressive leaders are bringing to key swing districts in Ohio.
• In Pennsylvania, Aurea Ortiz became the first Latina elected to the Bethlehem School Board. Although Bethlehem has a large and growing Latino population, she is the first Latina to be elected to serve on the board. This is an historic victory.
• In Colorado, Rachel Zenzinger won election to the Arvada City Council.  Rachel joins a group of women running for office for the first time who are redefining what's possible in electoral politics - across the country, 78% of our first time women candidates won yesterday.

Click here for full election results and more analysis.

Clearly, our program works.  It works because we are there from the beginning, from the moment a candidate decides to run for office right up until Election Day, making sure they have the tools they need to be successful.

Year after year, Progressive Majority continues to elect majorities where they matter most - school boards and city councils, mayoral positions and state legislatures.

We can't do this without your help, and our work is not finished. Click here to make a secure donation to Progressive Majority, and help us recruit, train and elect the progressive leaders of 2010, 2011, 2012 and beyond.