Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
News
Election 2011 Makes Democrats Feel A Little More Confident
By
Ben Yakas
Published Nov 9, 2011
Modified Nov 9, 2011
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
By
Ben Yakas
Published Nov 9, 2011
Modified Nov 9, 2011
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Besides Mississippi voters rejecting a controversial anti-abortion measure, and upstate NY voters rejecting candidates with artsy nude photos, there were other big elections around the nation which gave a glimpse into the country's current mood. Ohio voters rejected an anti-labor law, Arizona voters recalled the extremist Tea Party-friendly state senator, and as a result, Democrats are starting to feel confidant again.
Voters in Ohio rejected the state’s new collective bargaining law—which banned strikes and weakened collective bargaining for teachers, cops, firefighters and other public workers—by a margin of 63 percent to 36 percent, marking a major victory for union's going into next year's election. “Ohio sent a message to every politician out there: Go in and make war on your employees rather than make jobs with your employees, and you do so at your own peril,” AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka said.
Strategists for President Obama told the NY Times that the lopsided labor victory in Ohio was an indication that the country was swinging back on their side, and Obama is in good standing for Election 2012. “This week—one year before Election Day—and during yesterday’s elections across the country, we all took huge strides in accomplish these goals,” said Jeremy Bird, the national field director for Mr. Obama’s campaign. However, Republican National Committee communications director Sean Spicer pointed out that Ohioans also passed a measure that rejects health care mandates in the state, one of Obama's major first term policies. Spicer also pointed to major Republican gains in the Virginia state legislature as sign of Republican growth.
In Arizona, there was another rejection of extremism as citizens voted to recall conservative State Senator Russell Pearce, author of the controversial immigration status inquiry bill and an ally of Sheriff Joe Arpaio. “If being recalled is the price for keeping one’s promises, then so be it,” said Pearce, a hero to the Tea Party movement, who lost to comparatively centrist Republican Jerry Lewis.
“Republicans were rebuked for their partisan over reach and their anti-worker, anti-middle class, anti-immigrant and anti-women policies,” Brad Woodhouse, the communications director for the Democratic National Committee, said about the Arizona election. But Carl Forti, a veteran Republican operative who helps run political action committee’s on behalf of Republican candidates and causes, gave a much more measured take on this year's voting: “No real surprises and not sure it means much for next year,” he said in an email to the Times. ” A year is an eternity in politics.”
Tagged
anti-labor
arizona
Democrats
election 2011
election day
ohio
republicans
virginia
voting
Ben Yakas
Ben Yakas is a former Gothamist reporter.
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE news
Staten Island fire injures 2, but spares historic 'Godfather' church
Dozens of firefighters responded to the blaze, which started in a vacant warehouse. It was contained within three hours.
By
Giulia Heyward
Published Oct 18, 2026 at 10:34 a.m. ET
Bail reform remains major issue in NY governor's race, 7 years after it became law
Repeat offenders are a big talking point in the governor's race.
By
Gino Fanelli
News
Bail reform remains major issue in NY governor's race, 7 years after it became law
Repeat offenders are a big talking point in the governor's race.
By
Gino Fanelli
NYPD searching for 'person of interest' in fatal Midtown subway platform shooting
By
Ryan Kost
and
Elizabeth Kim
Have you seen this Yorkie? NYPD looking for adorable pup dognapped from her Queens home
By
Ryan Kost
Being reigning champions is weird for Knicks fans, but we could get used to this.
By
Catalina Gonella
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .