It's always great when politicians who think their jobs are secure get a reminder that voters really do get to decide who will represent them.

Right. It's also a reminder to the newly elected guy that he, too, can be replaced if he does not serve the people.

Sri Lanka has a form of ranked choice voting.

While this is technically true, only ~2% of voters seem to have put a second preference. So for practical purposes, it behaved like a plurality election.

If you're trapped in America like me, then I definitely recommend agitating and organizing for voting reform

The sad thing is that my country has a parliamentary system, and local parties have repeatedly crushed the national parties in state elections. And yet the media and pundits ignore them under the excuse that if people don't support the crook of their choice, 'the wrong lizard would win'. In reality, their bosses are probably worried that if any half-competent and honest leader comes to power, (s)he can easily find enough evidence of corruption to throw them and their friends in jail.