Midterm Election Results

The 2018 Midterm Election marked a turning point in the United States government. The Democratic Party gained the majority of seats in the House of Representatives in their “Blue Wave” for the first time since 2010, thus ending the period of one-party rule in Washington D.C.

This gives House Democrats the power to investigate the accusations against President Trump regarding Russian meddling in the 2016 Presidential election and his financial dealings. Democratic Representatives also have the power to block any laws and motions made by the President.  

However, the Republican Party gained an even larger majority in the Senate, flipping three Democratic seats. In Texas, the most watched Senate race between Republican Ted Cruz and Democrat Beto O’Rourke resulted in a Republican victory by a small margin.

Although O’Rourke was defeated, Democrats believe there is a new momentum in the notoriously Republican-dominated state of Texas.

In California, Gavin Newsom was elected as governor, taking Governor Jerry Brown’s place. People on both sides of the political spectrum in California are skeptical about Newsom’s governorship due to the amount of responsibility he needs to take over. Dianne Feinstein won her re-election bid for the U.S. Senate against fellow Democrat Kevin de Leon. Senator Feinstein will be serving her sixth term in the Senate. Democrats have also flipped three Republican House districts and defeated their Republican incumbents, contributing to the House majority.

Democratic Assemblymember Al Muratsuchi won his re-election bid against Republican Frank Scotto in the race to represent the South Bay in the state legislature.

Muratsuchi previously authored a bill to stop offshore oil drilling. In retaliation, oil companies donated large amounts of money to the Scotto campaign to unseat Muratsuchi. Both Republican and Democrats expected a close election. However, Muratsuchi defeated Scotto by a healthy margin of about 16 points and 19,000 votes.

The biggest California proposition in this election was Proposition 6: a motion to repeal the California gas tax. With the state having the highest gas prices in the country, California Republicans were hoping to have Proposition 6 passed. However, it was voted down, leaving the gas tax in place.

Across the country, there were many women that won seats in Congress. Women now hold 100 House seats, along with the first two Native American women and the first two Muslim women to be Representatives in Congress.

Regardless of political party, this election is proven to be the election of women.