The 2014 elections were good to Republicans. We took back the US Senate. Illinois elected a Republican Governor Bruce Rauner. Utah elected black Republican Congresswoman Mia Love. 18 year old, Saira Blair, was elected to the West Virginia House of Delegates. South Carolina sent black Republican Tim Scott to the US Senate.
Our state reelected Gov. Scott in what was expected to be a much closer race and we restored a super majority in the Florida house (one of the new members being Republican Jennifer Sullivan, the youngest female ever elected to the Florida House). Our party’s representatives are young, energetic, smart, and ready to serve…. The antithesis of Hilary Clinton, Harry Reid, Nancy Pelosi, and Elizabeth Warren.
Top down we demonstrated exactly what we believe in and stand for. We have the Democratic Party shaking in their boots at the thought of what we’re capable of if we keep this up heading into the 2016 election. But let’s not forget the outcome of the last two presidential elections. What lesson did Republicans embrace this year?
We as Republicans seem to have contempt for primary opponents (Case in point: Mitt – Jeb sorority-esque drama 2 years out). But if you take a good look at the races with tough primaries you’ll see they often result in a candidate that is prepared to face a Democratic opponent in the general election.
In 2014 Republicans opposed Primary Election entitlement, and in doing so we recognized strength comes from a robust primary battle.
Tough primaries fuel a desire to win and a work ethic to make it happen. Candidates who want to win realize their #1 priority is their neighbor the voter, and they become committed to serving them and hearing their concerns. This is a priority that the candidate carries with them into public office, and keeps them from complacency in their commitment to service.
Our greatest challenge in 2016 is to pursue the debate. Let’s not be so afraid of division that we weaken ourselves, and therefore our opportunity to lead the nation from the White House.
We can prove to the whole nation that we are prepared to lead, but first our candidate must prove it to us.
In 2016 let’s fight for and earn our opportunity to serve our nation in the executive branch.