Democrats, who ran and won on healthcare in the 2018 midterm elections because Republicans failed to effectively counter-message, are once again poised to run on that very issue in the 2020 presidential election cycle.
The winning political line Democrats are pushing is “expanding access to healthcare,” or preserving the embattled Affordable Care Act.
After this past Tuesday’s elections in Kentucky and Virginia, where Democrat took control of both chambers of the Virginia legislature and won the governor’s mansion in Kentucky, progressives are crediting their healthcare narrative as the reason for the victories.
Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D) press that very same narrative in a tweet, stating that the election results in Kentucky and Virginia were proof positive that Americans are focused on their healthcare.
“Results in KY & VA show what affordable health care and stronger gun safety laws mean to voters,” stated Wasserman Schultz “ In 2020, Democrats will keep fighting for healthier, safer and more financially secure communities. Proud of the organizers, educators, candidates & volunteers who made it happen.”
But are the wins in Virginia and Kentucky a sign that Democrats have momentum moving into 2020, or something else?
President Trump campaigned for Kentucky’s incumbent Gov. Mark Bevins (R) and for the slate of Republican candidates. Bevin lost his contest by 5,150 votes - 0.36 %, but the rest of the “team” won their respective elections, leaving many voters and political operatives believing that Bevin narrowly lost because of his leadership, not because of Trump or any other political issue(s).
#ElectionNight Won 5 out of 6 elections in Kentucky, including 5 great candidates that I spoke for and introduced last night. @MattBevin picked up at least 15 points in last days, but perhaps not enough (Fake News will blame Trump!). Winning in Mississippi Governor race!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 6, 2019
Bevins has options to challenge the election results and is expected to exercise them.
Republicans also won the governor’s race in Mississippi.
