2018 Midterm Election Cycle Comes to an End

The 2018 midterm elections cycle marks the beginning of yet another phase of political change in America. Come January 2019, winning candidates across the country will be assuming office. Gaining a net total of 40 House seats—their largest one-time gain of seats since 1974, Democrats will hold the majority in the House of Representatives for the first time since 2008. Republicans, on the other hand, will have extended their control over the Senate from 51 to 53 seats.

Over 500 offices were up for election throughout the country, several of which captured the attention of not only local constituents, but the nation at large. Many races are likely to make a mark on national politics, and others may be indicators of some new trends in America.

Vying for the vacated Senate seat formerly held by Republication Jeff Flake, Arizonan Democrat Kyrsten Sinema beat out Republican competitor Martha McSally by only 56,000 votes (3.77 percent of the total vote). According to the National Public Radio, Arizona—widely regarded as a Republican stronghold—was one of the states that saw an increase in turnout levels, presumably due to the particularly competitive Senate race taking place.

Early voting data suggests that this year’s electorate was younger and more diverse as compared to the last midterm election; it is likely that Sinema’s win was made possible by the surge in these traditionally-leaning Democratic demographic populations. This particular Democratic gain indicates more than a mere political “blue wave” in the future, however. It also seems to foreshadow a rise in social views typically endorsed by the Democratic party.

Sinema is not only the first Arizona Democrat to be elected to the Senate since 1988, but also the very first female senator in Arizona’s history, and the very first openly bisexual senator from any state.

What incited Arizonan voters to make this potential historic event a reality? It may be just another swing on the political power scale, but perhaps it signifies an upsurge in more liberal views as well. With the seemingly declining faith in and support of the Trump administration, it should not come as a surprise that Democrats are making every effort to turn the tables in their favor; they are taking full advantage of American public opinion regarding the current administration.

One particularly heated campaign battle that took place during this year’s election cycle occurred in the race for Georgia’s governor seat. Following Governor Nathan Deal’s final term in office, Democrat Stacey Abrams stepped up to challenge Republican Brian Kemp in a state that has leaned Republican since about the beginning of the 21st century.

Abrams’s determination and efforts to break into Republican ranks and become the first black female governor in America were made clear by her refusal to concede the race even after Kemp’s victory seemed imminent. According to Politically Georgia, Kemp triumphed by roughly 55,000 votes, although he was within about 17,000 votes of being forced into a runoff.

The 2018 midterm election cycle has finally ended just over three weeks after Election Day with Democrat TJ Cox’s declaration of victory over incumbent Republican David Valadao for the House seat representing California’s 21st district. Valadao was originally called as the winner on Election Day, but Cox steadily picked up votes as the race continued into a runoff. Perhaps symbolic of persistent Democratic efforts to flip the House, this race marks the end of a season of political wins for both parties.

Although these 2018 races were particularly significant, with some drawing political ire and others highlighting political trends, local and national elections alike are critical in America’s democratic system. It is only by the slow process of winning one seat at a time that a party can gradually expand its political influence and control.

Article by MoCo Student Staff Writer Elena Moore of Damascus High School