What the Biden/Harris victory means to Oregon

After a tumultuous and challenging election, I'm thrilled to say: we did it!

After the final two states were called on Friday, we know that Joe Biden and Kamala Harris will win with 306 electoral votes (the same number that Trump called a "landslide" four years ago). Also the Biden/Harris team received at least 5.6 million more votes than Donald Trump.

Of course, now the hard work begins. We have so much to do.

I was glad to hear President-elect Biden announce that we will immediately rejoin the Paris Climate Agreement. America must do its part to reverse the looming climate crisis, and we need to return and help lead the world in this fight.

I'm thrilled that the days of Betsy DeVos at the helm of the Department of Education will soon come to an end. President-elect Biden's commitment to appoint an educator to that post gives me confidence that our nation will once again support public education and students, parents, teachers, and schools.

And, of course, we must get this pandemic under control. The Biden pandemic team — led by scientists and doctors — will soon be a serious partner for the health care workers and the local and state government officials who are working hard every day to combat the virus.

That's not all. We have a lot of work to do over the next few years. I'm going to be looking to you during that time—for your feedback, for your ideas, and for your support.

Here we go!