Billy Long: I see a red moon rising

 

Despite what the pollsters and Democrats predicted, there was no “blue wave” this year. However much to their consternation there was a “red sea rising.” 

For over a year leading up to the election, Speaker Pelosi and her Democrat colleagues were convinced they would gain several seats to pad their majority in the House of Representatives. 

It wasn’t a question of if they would take out several of my Republican colleagues, it was only a question of how many, 10, 15, 20? They were convinced they would be able to successfully chip away in the suburbs but that’s not what happened. 

Suburban women, minorities, and veterans helped the Republicans in picking up 12 seats, creating the most diverse GOP freshman class in history. 

Voters sent a message to Speaker Pelosi that they were unsatisfied with the way she had attempted to use her majority in the House. Collusion, collusion, collusion, Russia, Russia, Russia, impeach, impeach, impeach, defund the military, defund the police and oh yes, the New Green Deal. All of which it turns out we’re very unpopular with the populace. 

As a result, the coup de grace is that the Democrats now have the thinnest majority in the House since World War II and Republicans will welcome an impressive class of women, minorities, and veterans to join our ranks in the 117th Congress in January. 

Not one Republican Congressman lost their seat, and I don’t know if that has ever happened before. Regardless, the Democrats and their pollsters are shell-shocked to say the least.

The victory, driven largely by female candidates, proves that the Republican Party has become much more diverse and reflective of society and you can look for that positive trend to continue. 

Republicans will now have nearly 30 women in the House, doubling our current numbers and signaling to liberal elites that conservative women not only exist, but they do turn out the vote for elected officials they want to represent their values in Washington. 

In Southern California, Young Kim and Michelle Steel will become the first Korean American women to serve in U.S. Congress. Republican state senator Stephanie Bice from Oklahoma City also flipped a Democrat seat and became the first Iranian American ever elected to Congress. South Carolina’s Nancy Mace joins our ranks as the first woman to have ever graduated from the Citadel, and New Mexico’s Yvette Herrell is the first Cherokee woman ever elected to Congress. All of these women not only flipped seats held by Democrats but made history. 

In fact, a woman won in almost every single district the Republican party flipped, proving that Republican women not only exist but absolutely can win competitive races.

Democrats would have you believe that diversity is exclusive to their party and that ours is one dimensional, but the new faces joining the GOP ranks in Congress prove otherwise. 

House Republicans are seeing changes other than just gender as we look forward to having more minorities join our ranks. We are welcoming two African American members, former NFL player for the Oakland Raiders and New York Jets Burgess Owens and Florida’s Byron Donalds, and new Cuban American members, Maria Elvira Salazar and Carlos Gimenez. We also hope to welcome California Republican David Valadao, the son of Portuguese immigrants as well once his election has been called.

This group of incoming members will undoubtedly break down barriers and pave the way for future generations to follow in their footsteps. It’s important to note, however, that these men and women secured their respective offices off of merit and drive; they were not elected because of their race or gender but because of their qualifications and beliefs. 

This incoming class of GOP freshman is full of strong leaders whose grit and determination will serve them well as they represent their constituents. The Republican coalition is now bigger, more diverse, and more energetic than ever before. These men and women joining our ranks are trailblazers, and I am excited to welcome them to the People’s House.