For those of you outside the Triangle, Democrats held onto the Mayor's office and City Council despite the retirement of a five-term mayor. His two immediate predecessors had been Republican.
Similarly, the incumbent Republican chairman of the Wake County School Board was defeated, and the balance of power on the Board has shifted to Democrats.
An exclamation point for progressives: bond issues for transportation and public housing passed by wide margins, notwithstanding the small increase in property taxes that they will require.
I wouldn't jump to the conclusion that Governor Purdue or President Obama will be reelected, but Democrats have been hungry for good news. And for Republicans? Two learning points: one, you really must work at every election and take nothing for granted. Two, if you move too far to the right, you lose.
