With exactly one month to go before we head to the classrooms where we vote every three years, the anticipation is growing. For the past five elections, we have used automated machines — high-tech optical scanners — to process our votes. While some continue to question their reliability, I remain optimistic. In the 2016 election, my chosen candidate won in an unexpected result over a major contender. So far, I believe that leadership has been credible. The current administration’s style differs significantly from its predecessors, especially compared with leadership from decades past, which remains a complex chapter in our history. At the very least, it offers a different approach compared with the one that came immediately before, now facing international proceedings.
This serves as a reminder of how unpredictable presidential elections can be. But when it comes to Senate races, the situation often feels different. The current lineup features a mix of public personalities — from broadcasters to entertainment figures — along with a few lawyers, including one expected to join a sibling already in the Senate and another poised to succeed a family member in the upper house. This raises an important question: How did our senatorial races evolve to this point?
Looking back at the Senate elections of the late 1980s offers some perspective. At the time, the country had just reclaimed its democracy and enjoyed significant global admiration. Under the leadership of a widely respected figure regarded as a pro-democracy champion, the nation was united in rebuilding its institutions. The Senate slate was composed of widely respected figures from law, academia and public service. Their faces and voices remain vivid in my memory — leaders dedicated to public service and the nation’s progress.
Even then, however, there were notable exceptions. Some senators came from diverse backgrounds, highlighting the range of experiences and perspectives within the chamber. These examples illustrate that varied profiles in the Senate have long been part of our political landscape.
Fast-forward nearly 40 years, and the latest surveys offer a glimpse of the likely composition of the next Senate. The field includes candidates from various sectors, such as media, entertainment and longstanding political families.
It is notable that the list reflects ongoing trends in national politics, where name recognition continues to play a significant role. As we prepare to cast our votes, it is an opportunity to reflect on the kind of leadership and representation we envision for the country.
