I followed Katie Britt’s career from afar, confident that I would hear our name on bigger and bigger stages. As the protege of former Democrat Richard Shelby, she seemed poised to reject the far right in favor of a more sensible conservatism. She’s noted for making friends with John Fetterman at a time when Republicans and Democrats rarely have a kind word for each other. That’s about as good as one can expect from a Republican, and part of me hoped she had the ambition, experience, and wisdom to fight for a more sensible political landscape.