What Went Down During The 2021 Elections

To Nathaniel’s earlier point about down-ballot races, if Winsome Sears wins tonight she’ll make history as the first Black woman and woman of color to serve as the commonwealth’s lieutenant governor.

Some results of interest to Atlanta residents: In the mayoral race, City Council President Felicia Moore has 46 percent, City Councilman Andre Dickens has 24 percent and former Mayor Kasim Reed has 16 percent, with a little more than 5,000 ballots counted. And in the World Series, the Braves lead the Astros 3-0 in the third inning.

To Sarah’s point, I do think Virginia provides more evidence that maybe increased political engagement (turnout) is here to stay — at least for the short term. That’s relatively speaking, of course: As Sarah said, turnout in Virginia is down from 2020, which is how Youngkin was able to win in a blue-ish state. But that’s very normal for an off-year, non-presidential election. Turnout in Virginia is up relative to more comparable contests.