U.S. Rep. Seth Moulton: 'Democrats Are Losing Influence' Across Nation

SALEM, MA — While many Democrats celebrated Tuesday night's relative stalemate with Republicans nationwide as a disaster averted considering the traditional losses for the party in power during mid-term elections, U.S. Rep. Seth Moulton (D-Salem) sees warning signs that remain despite his own decisive victory amid a Massachusetts sweep.

Moulton, who defeated Peabody Republican businessman Bob May and Georgetown Libertarian businessman Mark Tashjian, said in a statement on Wednesday that Democrats are "losing influence across the country" and must be "laser-focused on bolstering the safeguards of democracy across America."

Moulton's comments come as the future of U.S. House of Representatives leadership is still uncertain with several outstanding races across the country. While the Democrats were able to minimize the historic landslide losses that many forecasted amid high inflation and economic uncertainty, it appears they will likely lose control of the House by a slim margin.

"While we don't know the final national outcome, we do know that Democrats beat the odds," Moulton said. "Republicans thought they could coast into victory on a platform of division that lacked substance. Hundreds of election deniers built their campaigns on fear, anger, and doubt in our democracy.

"Meanwhile, Democrats led one of the most productive Congresses in half a century, and abortion rights drove voters to the polls."

(Also on Patch: Rep. Seth Moulton Eyes Progress Despite Uncertain House: Election 2022)

Still, Moulton warned his party and supporters that "we can't become complacent for a single moment."

"Just because we outperformed expectations doesn't change the fact that Democrats are losing influence across the country," he said. "Democrats have an opportunity to win back the people who, despite the Republicans' extremist platform, didn't vote for us because they don't trust Democrats to lead."

Moulton reiterated what he told Patch on Tuesday that the agenda for the next two years needs to be centered around the economy, inflation, crime, immigration, and "recruiting strong candidates who can relate to the American people."

Moulton was first elected to Congress in 2015 and launched a short-lived presidential bid in 2020.

"I am honored to have been reelected to represent the North Shore and Merrimack Valley in Congress," Moulton said., "Thank you for your continued confidence in me. I will work harder than ever to decrease inflation, bolster national security, protect reproductive rights, and ensure that the interests of the 6th District are represented in Washington."

(Scott Souza is a Patch field editor covering Beverly, Danvers, Marblehead, Peabody, Salem and Swampscott. He can be reached at Scott.Souza@Patch.com. Twitter: @Scott_Souza.)