Republicans won 4 out of 5 races for governor during the hotly contested 2018 midterm elections on Tuesday. Up for grabs were 435 seats in the House and 35 out of 100 seats in the Senate.
The combined star power of Barack Obama, Oprah Winfrey, Sean Combs, Rihanna, and Taylor Swift were not enough to carry their candidates over the finish line. Every candidate endorsed by former President Obama lost their race.
Democratic Tallahassee Mayor Andrew Gillum quickly conceded to Trump-endorsed Ron DeSantis in the governor’s race after 99% of precincts reported.
In the Georgia governor’s race Democratic candidate Stacey Abrams refused to concede to Brian Kemp after 100% of precincts reported.
Abrams, 44, declared she would not concede to Kemp until every single vote was counted.
“I’m here tonight to tell you votes remain to be counted,” Abrams told her supporters early Wednesday. “There’s voices that are waiting to be heard.”
Abrams hopes absentee ballots will give her enough votes to force a runoff with Kemp.
“Across our state folks are opening up the dreams of voters in absentee ballots, and we believe our chance for a stronger Georgia is just within reach. But we cannot seize it until voices are heard,” Abrams said.
Abrams’ supporters urged her not to concede. They cited the Republicans’ voter suppression tactics such as a lack of voting machines in certain precincts.
One Twitter user wrote:
“I’m so glad Stacey isn’t conceding, Brian Kemp absolutely stole this election with no recourse…count every damn vote that made it thru…I’m over feckless Democrats…thank you @staceyabrams for your fight!”
In other key races Texas Democratic Senate candidate Robert “Beto” O’Rourke conceded to incumbent Senator Ted Cruz, who needed every vote to defeat the media rock star.
Alexandra Ocasio-Cortez of New York City became the youngest woman ever elected to Congress at age 28.
Republican Senate candidate John James of Michigan lost his bid to upset incumbent Democratic Senator Debbie Stabenow.
And Maxine Waters, who has been named California’s most corrupt politician, was elected chairwoman of the Financial Services Committee. Let that sink in.
O’Rourke, 36, raised $70 million in donations to challenge Cruz, who only raised $40 million.
The Democrats celebrated after retaking control of the House of Representatives, but Dems taking the House was expected.
Traditionally the current administration in the White House loses the House in the first midterm after a presidential election.
By comparison, former President Barack Obama lost 64 seats in the House after his first midterm elections. Obama also lost both the House and the Senate to the Republicans.
The Republicans picked up 5 seats in the Senate, which rarely occurs after a presidential election.
Maintaining control of the Senate was crucial for Trump to appoint more Supreme Court justices and confirm them quickly when a seat opens up on the Supreme Court.
Retaking the House puts the Democrats back in control of the nation’s economy, which means higher taxes and a looming recession on the horizon.
It also means Trump will get his border wall built, but it will take more time since the Democrats now control the nation’s budget.
The Democrats will likely start impeachment proceedings against Trump and launch more Russia investigations to waste taxpayer dollars. But Trump will veto any bills coming out of the House.
President Bill Clinton was impeached by a Republican controlled House but he was acquitted by the Senate.
In other words, the House has little governing power.
President Trump was optimistic after the outcome of Tuesday’s midterm elections.
He tweeted:
“Received so many Congratulations from so many on our Big Victory last night, including from foreign nations (friends) that were waiting me out, and hoping, on Trade Deals. Now we can all get back to work and get things done!”
More money was spent on the 2018 midterm elections than in any midterms in U.S. history. Billions poured into campaign coffers from mega wealthy donors hoping to flip red states blue.
Political analysts say the much-anticipated “blue wave” was more like a puddle.
