Sunday, November 22
Basel, Switzerland
DA Discussions: From 2026 Wave to Lasting Realignment
image via Axios
Democrats achieved major victories across the country in the November 2026 midterms, reclaiming control of both the House and the Senate and breaking through in traditional Republican strongholds. But winning an election is only the first step—how do we turn this historic wave into a durable, long-term governing majority?
Join Democrats Abroad for our November discussion as we unpack what just happened at the ballot box and look ahead to what comes next. Together, we’ll examine the shifting demographics that powered these wins, explore how a broad coalition spanning progressives to moderates can govern effectively, and debate the bold policy ideas Democrats should champion in the new Congress. Whether you watched every race unfold or are just catching your breath after election week, bring your perspective on how we keep new voters in the Democratic big tent for 2028 and beyond.
Suggested Readings:
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The Weekly Show with Jon Stewart – "Feeling the Win with Sen. Bernie Sanders"
- Apple Podcasts
- YouTube
- Jon Stewart sits down with Independent Senator Bernie Sanders to map out how Democrats should use their newly won congressional majorities. They discuss what a bold, working-class legislative agenda should look like, the procedural and political roadblocks likely to stand in the way, and the type of leadership required to deliver on the mandate voters just handed the party.
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The Ezra Klein Show – "The Path to a Democratic Supermajority" (with Adam Jentleson)
- Transcript ( NYT 🎁 Gift Article 🎁)
- Apple Podcasts
- YouTube
- Ezra Klein speaks with veteran Senate strategist Adam Jentleson about how Democrats can manage the ideological breadth of a coalition that now stretches from progressive champions in Michigan to moderate winners in red states like Kansas and Texas. Jentleson argues that keeping new voters from flipping back requires abandoning rigid ideological litmus tests, embracing local heterodoxy, centering an aggressive economic affordability message, and reforming the filibuster so a big-tent party can actually govern.
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The New York Times Opinion – "8 Bold Ideas to Fix America" ( NYT 🎁 Gift Article 🎁)
- Members of The New York Times editorial board lay out eight concrete priorities for the incoming Democratic-controlled Congress to tackle over the next two years—even with President Trump still holding the veto pen. The proposals include passing an immediate "Affordability Act" to lower everyday costs, accelerating housing construction, creating universal healthcare coverage for children ("MediKids"), reigning in AI companies, curbing big-money political influence, expanding the Supreme Court, ending the war with Iran, and legalizing undocumented immigrants.
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Democracy Now! – "National Politics Will Never Be the Same: Juan González on How Latino Voters Remade the Political Map"
- Transcript
- YouTube (full video)
- Co-host and journalist Juan González breaks down the exit polls and demographic shifts behind the 2026 midterm wave, highlighting dramatic swings toward Democrats among Latino, Asian American, and white voters. He points to historic breakthroughs across the "Brown Belt"—including the election of Latino Democratic governors in both California and Texas, alongside major congressional flips—arguing that transforming Texas into a true battleground state could permanently alter the national political map if organizers invest in consolidating those gains.
Online Event: RSVP for the Zoom details
About DA Discussions:
We will examine various facets of democracy in group discussions facilitated by political scientist Michael Contarino, Professor Emeritus at the University of New Hampshire.
Contarino founded and directed the Politics and Society program at UNH-Manchester, the UNH-in-Italy program, and the UNH-Manchester Florence program at Palazzo Rucellai. He has taught World Politics, US and World Affairs, International Relations Theory, Politics and Society, Dictatorship and Democracy, Politics and Propaganda in Film, The Politics of Food, and Business, Government, and Society, among other topics. You can read his full bio here.
Each event will cover a different topic and offer complementary readings. The readings are intended to provide insight into the topic at hand but are completely optional.
All are welcome!
WHEN
Sunday, November 22, 2026 at 03:00 PM Bern Time
WHERE
online event
Basel, BS
Switzerland
Google map and directions
CONTACT
Liz Voss
[email protected]