This past Tuesday, working people all across Pennsylvania took to the polls to participate in this year’s historic midterm election. The results show that the people of our Commonwealth are sick and tired of the MAGA politics of the Republican Party, which has led to a higher cost of living, more unnecessary wars and idiotic rhetoric designed to keep us divided. Chris Rabb is joining a growing group of self identified socialists in the U.S. House of Representatives, alongside union firefighter Bob Brooks.

Democratic incumbent Governor Shapiro handedly defeated Stacy Garrity, who had very little support from her own political party, let alone the working people of Pennsylvania. And now for the first time in nearly half a century, the Democratic Party leads the state Senate and has achieved a “trifecta,” controlling the governorship and both legislative chambers.

Many are taking this time to celebrate, and there is good reason to. Resoundingly beating back the fascists of the GOP is a historic achievement and represents a new era in our state’s politics. That said, we must take this as an opportunity to put working class politics on the agenda in Pennsylvania.

With the Republicans in the minority, there is zero excuse for the Democrats to stall on implementing progressive policies that would uplift working people all across our state and especially in Philadelphia, which is now once again the poorest big city in our country.

It is imperative that we build unity among progressive and working class forces, oppressed peoples, the LGBTQ community, and women to immediately begin fighting for policies that would catapult Pennsylvania forward. Raising the minimum wage, protecting public transportation and funding public schools cannot remain mere campaign promises.

Working people did not elect this historic trifecta for promises to only be made and not kept. Action on these issues must occur not on day one hundred, day fifty or day thirty, but on day one of their terms. This new political mandate belongs not to politicians, but to the working class. And we demand that our elected representatives deliver. 

The opinions of the author do not necessarily reflect the positions of the CPUSA.

Image: Debbie Amis Bell Club, CPUSA.