Democrats won big in the 2026 midterms, taking control of both the House and Senate. But who helped make this historic victory possible, and what lessons should we take from it?

In this episode of "The Justice Briefing", historian Dr. Jemar Tisby examines the election results, the political power of Black voters and organizers, and the long struggle for American democracy.

YOU'LL LEARN

- Why Black voters and Black women played a critical role in the midterm victories.

- How Mississippi's Reconstruction and Redemption history reveals an American tradition of authoritarianism and voter suppression.

- Why Black Christianity deserves more recognition in conversations about faith and politics.

- What historical setbacks teach us about sustaining political movements.

- Why accountability must be a priority for the incoming Democratic Congress.

Jemar also reflects on the importance of celebrating hard-won victories while preparing for the work ahead.

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Get Dr. Tisby's latest book: "Notes from an Evangelical Reject"

What does it mean when a Christian says, “Jesus is my candidate”?

Can pastors avoid partisan endorsements while still addressing political injustice?

And how should believers navigate imperfect electoral choices?

In this Election Day special of "The Justice Briefing", Dr. Jemar Tisby welcomes Dr. Christina Edmondson, Rev. Dr. Mika Edmondson, and public theologian Ekemini Uwan.

The conversation responds to remarks by Pastor Philip Anthony Mitchell on Cam Newton's "Funky Friday" podcast.

What You'll Learn

- Why Christina calls for greater precision, courage, and community.

- How Mika connects political responsibility to the Good Samaritan.

- Why Ekemini emphasizes social location, informed voting, and accountability.

- How the Black freedom struggle informs Christian political ethics.

- Why pastors can reject partisan endorsements while providing moral guidance.

- How prayer, worship, organizing, and listening shape Christian engagement after Election Day.

• Truth's Table — The podcast cohosted by Christina Edmondson and Ekemini Uwan, exploring theology, race, culture, gender, and public life.
• Truthful Prayers for Resisting the Chaos — Christina Edmondson and Ekemini Uwan's forthcoming devotional book, mentioned as Truthful Prayers.
• What Makes Leaders Wise — Christina's book on wisdom, leadership, and organizational health
• Christianbook.com
• The Power of Unearned Suffering — Mika Edmondson's examination of Martin Luther King Jr.'s theology of suffering.
• Koinonia Church, Nashville — The congregation pastored by Mika Edmondson.
• Sistamatic Theology — Ekemini Uwan's website for her writing, speaking, preaching, and theological work
• Notes from an Evangelical Reject — Jemar Tisby's forthcoming book

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What could the midterms change in Congress? What do early-voting numbers reveal? And what happens after Election Day?

What happens if the election results are close? What if a candidate refuses to concede? And what happens between the time polls close and the moment elected officials actually take office?

In this episode of The Justice Briefing, historian Dr. Jemar Tisby examines the November 3 elections and the processes that follow.

• How a new House majority could block legislation, conduct investigations, and exercise oversight.
• Why early-voting turnout is drawing attention in North Carolina, Florida, and other states.
• Which Southern races involving Black candidates have historic significance.
• How vote counting, recounts, legal challenges, and certification work.
• What the Mississippi Freedom Democratic Party's 1964 challenge teaches us about political participation and long-term change.

This episode connects the immediate stakes of the 2026 midterms to the history and institutions that shape American democracy.

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My new book is for anyone who has wondered about or walked away from a community they once called home.

Pre-order your copy of Notes from an Evangelical Reject.

00:00 — Why the midterms don't end on November 3

01:39 — What's at stake in the 2026 elections?

04:57 — What a Democratic House majority could do

07:01 — Congressional investigations and oversight

09:34 — Impeachment powers and the limits of House control

11:54 — What political participation can accomplish

12:42 — Supporting independent journalism and the forthcoming book

14:54 — Early-voting turnout and Kentucky's limited voting window

17:01 — Party breakdowns: North Carolina, Florida, and other states

21:48 — Competitive races and Black candidates in the South

25:51 — Georgia, Stacey Abrams, and the importance of long-term organizing

29:38 — Florida, Byron Donalds, and the meaning of political representation

37:26 — What happens after Election Day?

41:18 — Counting, recounts, challenges, and certification

43:18 — How to evaluate claims about election integrity

53:26 — Fannie Lou Hamer and the Mississippi Freedom Democratic Party

56:58 — What history teaches about political change