In a night characterized by some as a “blue tsunami” or “blunami”, the Democratic Party recorded several major wins in the previous week’s midterm elections, earning back control of both the Senate and House of Representatives. As it stands, Democrats have 54 senate seats in the upcoming 120th Congress as opposed to the GOP’s 44 and have 247 seats in the House of Representatives to Republicans’ 153. Two senate and 35 House races are yet to be called by the Associated Press.
“This midterm election definitely stood out in a number of ways. There is a reason people are referring to a ‘blue wave’”, said Political Science Professor Michael Nelson. “There is an obvious sense of scale in terms of the numbers of flipped seats in the Senate and House, for instance. But I also think that the scope of the changes, with unexpected outcomes in Texas and Ohio, makes this even more unique. Democrats will control state government trifectas—control of both statehouse chambers and governorships—in 22 states, the most since 1984.”
This election marks the first since 2006 that one party has flipped control of both congressional chambers in one cycle, that being the Democrats during George W. Bush’s second term, and the second since the Republican Revolution of 1994. The Democrats also exceeded their mark from 2006, having flipped seven senate seats this year compared to six from 20 years ago, and lead in the uncalled races of Mississippi and Alaska.
“For Democrats, the challenge will be in finding a unified vision,” said Nelson. “While there is some evidence that moderates were the major part of the wave, the progressive wing also had significant wins and is energized. They will have to go beyond opposing Trump to prove to the American people that they can serve their interests. Again, I think the bright spot for them may be their ability to use their control of statehouses. That is an important opportunity.”
The Seven Races Democrats Flipped
The main catalyst to the Democrats’ performance Tuesday night was their battleground state victories, especially in red, deep southern states.
In North Carolina, former governor Roy Cooper defeated Michael Whatley, the first time North Carolina has elected a democratic senator since 2008.
In Texas, James Talarico defeated Texas attorney general Ken Paxton to become the first democratic senator from Texas since 1988, when Lloyd Bentsen was elected.
In South Carolina, Annie Andrews defeated Darline Graham, the sister of the late Lindsey Graham, to become the state’s first democratic senator elected since Ernest Hollings in 1998.
In Ohio, Sherrod Brown won over incumbent John Husted to flip the seat from red to blue.
In Iowa a state that has trended red over the past decade but has still shown shades of blue, former Paralympian Josh Turek defeated IA-2 representative Ashley Hinson, becoming the first democrat the state has elected to the senate since 2008 when Tom Harkin was elected for his final term in Washington.
In Maine, Troy Jackson, who took the democratic nomination in July following the withdrawal of original nominee Graham Platner after he faced allegations of rape and sexual misconduct, unseated longtime senator Susan Collins to flip the seat from red to blue.
In Kansas, Methodist minister Adam Hamilton unseated incumbent Roger Marshall to become the first democratic senator elected from Kansas since 1932.
As of writing this article, senate races in Mississippi and Alaska, where democrats lead, are still yet to be called. Should democrats win either or both races, the victories can expand their senate majority by one or two seats.
Illinois Results
Democrats continue to hold supermajorities in both the Illinois House and Senate. In the Senate, Democrats currently hold a 45-12 seat advantage over Republicans with two outstanding races, and hold an 80-32 majority in the State House with six outstanding races.
Republican Dan Swanson won reelection in State House District 71 to another two-year term in the Illinois House, and Democrat Mike Halpin won another four-year term in the State Senate in District 36. Both aforementioned areas cover Monmouth.
In the IL-17 House race, Monmouth native Dillan Vancil was defeated by democratic incumbent Eric Sorensen, who was elected to his second term in office. Democrat Julianna Stratton defeated Don Tracy to replace retiring senator Dick Durbin. The latter result also means Illinois will be represented in the senate by two women of color for the first time in its history.
In the governor’s race, incumbent democratic governor JB Pritzker easily reelected over challenger Darren Bailey, earning a third term at the helm by just under 900,000 votes.
Gubernatorial Results and Major Firsts
Democrats not only secured major victories in the gubernatorial field, but some of these victories resulted in major firsts.
In Georgia, democrat Keisha Lance Bottoms defeated Rick Jackson to become the first woman of color elected to a governor’s seat in US History. Four other governors of color soon followed: Wes Moore in Maryland, Byron Donalds in Florida, David Crowley in Wisconsin, and Aaron Ford in Nevada.
In Texas, former state legislator Gina Hinojosa unseated longtime Texas governor Greg Abbott to become the state’s first democratic governor since Ann Richards elected in 1990.
In New Mexico, democrat Deb Haaland became the state and country’s first ever Native American governor, defeating Greggory Hull.
Democrats also scored a major win in Iowa, as Former state auditor Rob Sand defeated Zach Lahn to become the first democratic governor elected in Iowa since Chet Culver in 2006.
Outside the governor’s scope, Chris Pappas became the first openly gay man elected to the US Senate, defeating John Sununu in New Hampshire.
