Democrat Jay Inslee is ahead in the state governor’s race, which is very likely a good thing for biking, walking and transit funds in Washington compared to his opponent Rob McKenna.

Senate Transportation Committee Chair and constant roadblock to bike and transit bills Mary Margaret Haugen (a Democrat) appears to be losing her race against Republican Barbara Bailey. If the Democrats hold onto power in the senate, this could set the stage for a new Democrat to assume the chair.

A cursory look suggests that many of Cascade Bicycle Club’s endorsed candidates are doing well as state results continue to trickle in. And yes, their “bikepartisan” endorsements include many Republicans.

On a national note, now that Obama no longer needs to fight to be the President of Ohio, will he unleash Transportation Secretary (and Republican) Ray LaHood’s love for bicycling and chill out on all the blind car industry love? GridChicago hopes so:

Secretary LaHood consistently espouses the benefits of bicycling as a transportation mode and spoke at the National Bike Summit, a conference where bicycle interest groups lobby legislators annually, where he gave a speech standing on a table (more photos). And while the President and Secretary must cede funding appropriations and authorizations to Congress, they have continually awarded grants to rail, transit, and bicycle projects without a second thought. Many of these came from the new TIGER program, part of ARRA, grants awarded at the discretion of the Department of Transportation and its subagencies, according to well-defined performance measures.

…

Communities the nation over cry out for basic features like sidewalks and bike lanes. We should no longer live “dangerously by design”. President Obama’s first term was heavily focused on rail projects (and maintaining highways and bridges). We ask that his second term continue to promote sustainable transportation, and to pivot national transportation policy so it prioritizes transit, pedestrians, and bicycle logistics and transportation.

In other not entirely election-related news, SDOT installed these bike racks at 23rd and Union last week. During the election party at the Neighbor Lady, they were beyond capacity. If you build it, they will come:

On Capitol Hill, a street party broke out. I spotted several people hoisting their bikes above their heads. Maybe it was to get through the crowd, or maybe there’s just something about the bike that meshes perfectly with the progressive hope for the future sentiment flowing through the streets:

How was your election night (and hangover)?