Reflections on the election

Published 12:02 am Tuesday, November 10, 2026

By Jim Page / Guest Columnist

Friends. Unless you have been in a coma or deep in a cave, you know we had a major election recently with some significant results.

I will not address the “Blue Tsunami” that everyone is talking about, but that was amazing, and I hope is a positive turning point for our government and nation. What inspired me to write was the many firsts from the election results. Having taught students American history for 34 years, I often stressed that one of the great things about this nation is our diversity. E pluribus unum (Latin for “Out of many, one”) was our nation’s unofficial motto until 1956 and still is a part of the Great Seal.

Diversity has been a part of America from the start, and one of the reasons we have excelled as a people and country. We have welcomed those from around the world, and each and every group has contributed to our strength and growth.

The irony is that, like those that are considered “different” today, we have always struggled adapting and welcoming those perceived to be different, no matter the reason. Obviously, some groups were treated much worse than others, but nearly all groups struggled for acceptance. Unfortunately, that struggle continues for many today. However, this election renewed my hope that Dr. King’s Dream may yet be realized one day.

In the city and state where Dr. King is buried, the former mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms was elected governor of Georgia, the first black woman in U.S. history to lead a state. Florida, Wisconsin, and Nevada elected Byron Donalds, David Crowley, and Aaron Ford, respectively, to lead their states.

Diversity won out in many places. New Mexico elected Deb Haaland as the first Native American to lead a state. Haaland, former Secretary of the Interior, is a member of the Laguna Pueblo Tribe. Native Americans were not granted U.S. citizenship until 1924. California elected Xavier Becerra, their first Latina governor since Romualdo Pacheco in 1875 and Texas elected Gina Hinojosa as their first Latina governor. In another remarkable advancement, Chris Pappas made history in New Hampshire as the first openly gay man elected to the U.S. Senate. The glass ceiling for women was shattered in many places. Marsha Blackburn became the first woman to win a gubernatorial race in Tennessee. Amy Klobuchar did the same thing, becoming governor of Minnesota.

In Ohio, Amy Acton will not only become the first female governor of Ohio but also the first Jewish leader of the state. Last but certainly not least is the election in Michigan of Abdul El-Sayed, who will become the first Muslim United States Senator. One can only imagine the many unfair accusations and obstacles that each of these candidates faced in their courageous pursuit of office. I thank and applaud each of them for their bravery.

I would also like to thank all candidates who ran for any office. Unless you have done it, you probably do not realize the tremendous effort and sacrifice it takes. Win or lose all candidates deserve our thanks and respect. Thanks, as well, to all the election workers. Having done this for ten years, I can tell you that it is more demanding than it looks. Our elections are the most secure and well-run in the world; the quality of the workers and County Clerks is directly responsible. Finally, thank you to the millions who did their civic duty and voted. We should all be inspired by the results and future of our democracy made possible by these efforts. One thing is certain: I doubt anyone is missing the barrage of negative ads we had to endure. Good topic for another day. Thanks for reading!

Jim Page is a Sedalia resident.