Elections belong to the people. They are an opportunity to shape the future. But our votes only matter if we can trust the people we elect. After being lied to during last year’s elections, many voters rightfully feel betrayed, and they are demanding better. Recent elections show it, with Democrats dramatically overperforming nationwide.
Upon taking office, Donald Trump and shadow president Elon Musk bypassed Congress on an unlawful slash-and-burn spree, leaving a trail of broken campaign promises in their wake.
First, Trump and his allies pledged to keep Medicaid whole. Then came a budget proposal with $880 billion in cuts to fund tax breaks for the ultra-wealthy. All but one House Republican voted for it. The lone holdout? He wanted deeper cuts.
Republicans vowed to protect Social Security. Now, the billionaire-controlled administration is working to dismantle it. A leaked memo revealed their plan to “break” the Social Security Administration and “derail” payments. The results are longer wait times, delayed payments, and major disruptions. In Idaho, the Lewiston office is at risk, forcing seniors to possibly travel out of state for the benefits they’ve earned.
Trump promised lower prices “on Day One,” but he never had a plan. Egg prices hit historic highs while the Trump-Musk regime fired avian flu experts. Then came sweeping tariffs to raise costs on everything from groceries to farm equipment. Consumer confidence is in freefall, and a recession looms.
Republican politicians claimed no knowledge of Project 2025. Now, they’re following it like a playbook. The Trump-Musk regime has already implemented some of its extreme ideas: slashing preschool and pediatric cancer funding, stripping workers’ rights, and dismantling entire agencies like the Department of Education and the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.
The mass firings, agency shutdowns, service cuts, and economic chaos are deeply unpopular. And while the Republican establishment doubles down on distractions, the truth is breaking through. Less than three months in, voters feel buyer’s remorse and are flipping to support Democrats.
In Wisconsin, Musk poured millions into a Supreme Court race for his handpicked Republican, Brad Schimel. Musk thought he could buy the court to give Tesla advantages in pending legal battles. Even the richest man in the world couldn’t buy this election. Wisconsites overwhelmingly chose Susan Crawford, a win for everyday people.
Florida’s special elections also reveal fading trust in Republican candidates. While Gay Valimont didn’t win her district, the Democrat flipped deep-red Pensacola for the first time in nearly 20 years. Josh Weil cut a +30 Trump district to just 14 points.
This swing toward Democrats puts seats in play across the U.S. and Idaho. Democracy doesn’t belong to the billionaires trying to buy our elections. It belongs to you. Let’s get to work.
Onward,
Lauren Necochea
Idaho Democratic Party Chair