On Thursday I attended a townhall held by U.S. Rep. Jason Crow. Me and hundreds of other people. The big question: is this momentum that Democrats can continue for another 20 months?
With the second Trump Administration moving at breakneck speed — and frequently break-law speed — to dismantle government services and agencies, a spark has been lit with both activists and those who stand to be hurt by the chaos. The backlash in such instances can be severe.
Republicans trying to explain Trump’s actions, and those of Elon Musk and his doublespeak Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), have run into buzz saws when they have hosted townhalls recently. For example, a Republican congressman in Georgia faced an angry crowd that booed his answers to their concerns about Trump’s first month back in office. The moment went viral and suddenly other Republicans across the country were facing similar blowback.
Since, Republicans have relied on security officers to physically remove upset demonstrators or given up talking to their constituents altogether. Most recognize the political peril of this moment.
Whether it is a moment that builds momentum will define the next two years.
The best case scenario for Democrats would be something that paralleled the Tea Party Movement in 2009 and 2010. That political tsunami began just about a month after another president, Barack Obama, took office for the first time. His proposals led to grousing from conservatives that erupted after CNBC talking head Rick Santelli went on a rant over mortgage bailouts culminating in a call for a modern “tea party.”
Conservatives harnessed the anger in Santelli’s outburst and organized it across the country into protests, political messaging, and an election turnout rocket booster. The result led a 63-seat swing toward Republicans in the House, a historic change and more than any other since 1938 and the Great Depression.
With Republicans holding one of the slimmest majorities in history, a similar swing would help Democrats take a commanding majority in 2026. Given that Republicans enjoy a three-seat majority, and the tiebreaker vote of Vice President JD Vance, as well as a difficult 2026 election map in the U.S. Senate, a large House majority will be Democrats’ focus.
That is why I went to see how Crow handled the townhall.
As always, Crow appeared well-spoken and articulate. He has nuanced answers that delve deep into policy, data and potential solutions. These are the traits that make him an excellent member of Congress. He is exactly what constituents should want in a representative.
But Democrats need more to create a wave in 2026.
While people packed the auditorium and Hinkley High School in Aurora, the response to Crow ranged from polite applause to scattered cheers throughout the hour-long event. The crowd was receptive and appreciative.
For the most part, though, they were not fired up. They were not raucous. They did not seem ready to storm the gates.
That is unfortunate because early on there was at least one moment when it seemed the powder keg could have been lit. When a crowd member asked about Musk and DOGE, it immediately led to cries from others in the room and a palpable sense of frustration and urgency. Leaning into that, stoking it, could have had a ripple effect among attendees.
That is exactly how Republicans fueled the Tea Party fires.
Working closely with many Republicans at the time, I saw plenty of those rallies. Speakers worked hard to nurture emotional reactions. Once they had it going, they worked even harder to keep building. The crescendo often occurred with masses standing non-stop, pumping their arms and flags and posters, nearly drowning out speakers.
Those people went home passionate and eager to march into electoral battle.
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By the time Democrats took the historic step to pass the Affordable Care Act — or Obamacare as the Tea Party dubbed it — in March 2010, folks across the country had been pumped and primed for nearly a year. The ACA sparked a cascading explosion that rumbled through the general election and swept away the majority that delivered health care to millions.
Ironically, it could be a reversal that Democrats may seize upon for the same response. As tens of millions have become accustomed to receiving subsidized medical care through the ACA’s Medicaid expanse plan, the GOP’s plan to strip it away could be a catalyst. When already struggling Americans who voted for Trump find the safety net they relied on gone, it could spark a mirror reaction to the one in 2010.
If it does, Democrats have to be prepared to stoke those flames. Especially in critical, competitive districts like Colorado 8th Congressional District. Manny Rutinel, the only Democrat to announce so far, should host a townhall like Crow’s and see how much heat he can get from the crowd. Maybe even invite Rep. Gabe Evans, the incumbent, just to incite more fervor when Evans doesn’t show.
If Democrats want to turn the tide on Trump and his enablers, the time is now to start harnessing the passion of their supporters. That will be the key to big wins in less than two years.
Mario Nicolais is an attorney and columnist who writes on law enforcement, the legal system, health care and public policy. Follow him on BlueSky: @MarioNicolais.bsky.social.
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