A wish list from Republican women

In one year, we will know the results of the 2020 election. While there are still more questions than answers surrounding who the candidates will be and what the state of play will be, we know enough about the first years of the Trump administration and the current state of Congress to confidently state that we hope this is a “change election.” In fact, my organization, Republican Women for Progress, has an election wish list of three items. First, we want a change in the occupant of the White House. Second, we want to see more women, especially Republican women, elected to office. Finally, we want 2020 to yield an improved and independent Congress.

Above all, we want the election to produce a change in who is president. We have long been opposed to this vitriolic, unproductive, race baiting, and divisive White House. We actively campaigned against him in 2016 as Republican Women for Hillary, and we are prepared to do so again in 2020 for the right candidate. While we could fill reams of paper on the topic, we will not delve into his numerous fireable offenses here. Our hope is that Republican candidates have the chance to turn the primary into a debate on how we can build on our core principles and create a “Big Tent” party for the future. We also hope the Democratic primary produces a ticket that can beat Donald Trump in swing states and among key voting blocs.

Next on our wish list is more women elected to office, and not only federal offices, but state and local office as well. Progress has been made in this area. Several women won their city council races this week, including Angela Woods in Pennsylvania and Roxy Ndebumadu in Maryland. But we still have a long way to go in breaking up the white male domination on Capitol Hill and in state houses across the country. This is especially true for the Republican Party, which continues to show blatant contempt for potential female candidates, despite repeated calls from within for a more diverse bench. This change is necessary and will be a major focus of ours.

The final item on our wish list is an improved and independent Congress. One of the most disgusting displays that we have witnessed on Capitol Hill is the blind fealty paid to President Trump by Republican lawmakers. At every turn, they have defended him with various versions of “there is nothing to see here.” Before this year, Republican members of Congress were all too happy to let President Trump dictate their legislative agenda.

This is not to say that we wish for fewer Republicans elected. Both parties are equally guilty for this executive obsession, abdicating their legislative duties granted by the Constitution and transferring those authorities to Pennsylvania Avenue. Rather, we want to see Congress restoring its place as a coequal branch of government, not merely a rubber stamping empty shell of legislative power. We want to see lawmakers working together across the aisle to solve the numerous national challenges facing the country, which is after all what a majority of voters want to see as well.

It is rare that anyone gets everything on a wish list. The defeat of Donald Trump will restore our standing in the world and rescue our democratic institutions from further degradation. Electing more women to office will bring diverse viewpoints to critical policy debates happening around the country. An improved and independent Congress will save our democracy from becoming an autocracy of sycophants who have forgotten their role as overseers and checks on the executive branch. Americans deserve these three gifts, and we hope that in one year they will receive them.

Kodiak Hill Davis is political director of Republican Women for Progress.