In the first big test after the election of Donald Trump as the 45th President of the United States, Democrat Stephanie Hansen, an attorney and former president of the New Castle County Council, scored a big victory in a Special Election in Delaware on Saturday by a margin of 58-42 percent, thus ensuring Democrats will maintain control of the Delaware state Senate. Ms. Hansen handily defeated her Republican opponent, realtor John Marino.

Ms. Hansen was not alone in her "grassroots" campaign, having been joined in the campaign by over 1,000 volunteers.

Many volunteers came from outside the state of Delaware. Volunteer Nicholas Sewitz, for example, traveled from Brooklyn to canvass for Hansen according to the Huffington Post. The victory is a cause for optimism for the newly-elected chairman of the Democratic National Committee, Tom Perez.

Voter turnout was extraordinary for an ordinary special state election

The turnout for the special election was extraordinarily high and a reflection of a larger surge in civic engagement among Americans, due to the election of Donald Trump as President of the United States. It was also due to volunteers like Nicholas Sewitz traveling from long distances. The margin of victory was also significant and has buoyed the hopes of Democrats everywhere.

She also got a little help from a friend, Delaware native, and former Vice President Joe Biden.

The Daily Kos Special Elections reports that a "new trend" is emerging as nationwide there have been six legislative special elections so far pitting a Democrat against a Republican.

Democrats have fared very well since Election Day. And the future is brightening. The Daily Kos community supported her campaign with $53,000 from 4,974 donations, another sign of a "grassroots" campaign.

Big test will come in Georgia

The big test will come on April 18 in Georgia's 6th Congressional District, a heavily Republican area, vacated by former Congressman Tom Price, who is now the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS).

If no candidate wins the majority of the vote in the first round, the top two finishers advance to a second ballot set for June 20.

A victory by a Democrat in the first round would most certainly become a boon for them. The Democrats are optimistic about Jon Ossoff's chances, with the money, the drive, and the backing of Civil Rights icon Rep. John Lewis.
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