Nancy Pelosi; Pat Ryan.Photo: Yuri Gripas/Abaca/Sipa via AP Images; AP Photo/Mary Altaffer

House SpeakerNancy Pelosihas a message for the Republican Party: Be afraid.
The representative’s warning comes after Democratic underdog Pat Ryan pulled off a shocking win in New York on Tuesday to fill an open House seat, proving that his pro-abortion rights platform resonated with voters — even as polling showed him trailing his Republican opponent throughout the campaign, suggesting he was eight points behind on Election Day,according to Spectrum News.
“Republicans should be very, very, very scared this morning about their prospects,” she continued. “This one they expected to win. And they outspent us, but we out-organized them. We don’t agonize, we organize.”
The win for Ryan, a veteran who campaigned on the principle that “choice is on the ballot,” is the latest example of how strongly Americans value reproductive rights, coming weeks after Kansas voters — who haven’t swayed blue in a presidential electionsince 1964—shot down a measurethat would restrict access to abortions within the state.
FiveThirtyEight, which tracks election trends, notes that sinceRoe v. Wadewas overturned in late June,eliminating the constitutional right to abortion, voting patterns have beenshifting in favor of Democrats.
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After Ryan’s win, nonpartisan newsletter Cook Political Report adjusted its midterm predictions to show Democrats with a greater chance than before at maintaining a majority in the House — though it’s still leaning in favor of turning red.
On Thursday, Ryan took a moment to reflecton Twitter, writing, “When we really clearly stand up and fight and say what our principles are and don’t pull our punches, we inspire people, we get people motivated and energized, and we win.”
source: people.com