All three were affectionately covered as part of the unrealized “blue wave,” but both O’Rourke, the Democratic nominee for Senate in Texas, and Gillum, the Democratic nominee in Florida’s gubernatorial race, lost to a Republican. Votes are still being counted in Georgia but Abrams looks set to lose her governor’s race, as well.

The media called O’Rourke “a rock star,” “Kennedyesque,” and “cool.” Yet Sen. Ted Cruz, universally reviled in Washington, handily won re-election.

When President Trump called Gillum “a stone cold thief” over allegations of corruption during his tenure as Tallahassee mayor, the press attempted to run interference for Gillum, calling it “racist.”

He conceded his race Tuesday night to Republican opponent Rep. Ron DeSantis.