Democrats won big in the 2026 midterms with a momentous, full-force rebuke of President Donald Trump that’s been called a “blue tsunami.” Georgia, Texas, Kansas, and other states saw historic victories with Democrats winning for the first time in decades. It’s been miraculous to see such resounding support for a singular vision in these polarized times. But, as much as the left may want to break out the champagne, a whiteboard might be more appropriate.
Americans have given Democrats a mandate to make sweeping changes and address the issues most important to them. People vote with their wallets and economic relief is on the top of everyone’s minds. Government accountability is trendy, and fighting wars on the other side of the world went out of fashion a long time ago. This moment could be the tailwind that pushes America forward, but only if newly-elected officials make the most of the power they’ve been given.
Democrats’ first priority should be getting things done at the state level. Around 75% of Americans will have a Democratic governor once winners are sworn in, and other downballot wins have the most potential to translate into improvements in voters’ livelihoods. Several states continue to have the $7.25 federal minimum wage, but incoming Democratic governors, like Keisha Lance Bottoms of Georgia and David Crowley of Wisconsin, have expressed a desire to bump up the minimum. Housing is becoming increasingly unaffordable and is another area where they could push for change, such as by limiting investors from buying up homes en masse.
The second priority for Democrats should be to restore the integrity of public service. It is very American to assume that the government is inherently untrustworthy, but there’s a difference between exercising caution as we used to and loudly sounding the alarm as we do now. Trump’s cabinet is ripe with loyalists and those with conflicts of interests—Congressional Democrats can use their bolstered numbers to oppose the administration when it strays from the honest path.
There’s elites in need of investigation and Congress now has a chance to do something about it. A good start in restoring faith would be to pass a ban on congressional stock trading, which has even seen support from Republicans like Senator Josh Hawley (R-MO).
Lastly, Democrats should make fighting the Iran War unsustainable for the Trump administration. The war has been going on for over 8 months and seems to have no end in sight, but Democrats can change that by putting on and holding the pressure. Passing a War Powers Resolution and confronting officials could make it harder for the administration to continue hostilities. War funds could also be withheld: Congress should exercise its powers more freely instead of letting the President act without opposition. Even Vice President J.D. Vance recognized the war was costing Republicans, and after so many other wars like it that seemed to go nowhere, many Americans want to see the government focus on domestic issues instead.
If Democrats can take decisive action against the nation’s leading issues in 2027, they’ll fulfill their mandate and do right by Americans. Presidential power has skyrocketed under Trump, but that doesn’t mean opposition is a lost cause. Voting, protesting, and raising awareness is priceless,–-and it must be paired with effective leadership across all 50 states and both chambers of Congress. It’s time for Democrats to ride the wave and show what the voices of the people can accomplish.
Acknowledgement: The opinions expressed in this article are those of the individual author, not necessarily Our National Conversation as a whole.