(RepublicanReport.org) – Democrats scored big on November 7, winning key races that could mark yet another power shift in Washington. Some of the conservative losses were more painful than others, but together, they could point to a concerning trend. The six hardest hits occurred in Kentucky, Virginia, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Ohio.
1. Kentucky Governor’s Race
Incumbent Democrat Andy Beshear beat out Republican contender Daniel Cameron, who had been considered one of his party’s rising stars. Beshear, who will be returning for a second term, lists private sector investments, low unemployment, and the electric vehicle battery boom in his state among his accomplishments in office. He also helped make sports betting legal in his state in late 2023. Cameron had been among former President Donald Trump’s endorsements.
2. Virginia’s Congressional Losses
Democrats held their state Senate majority, with 21 seats to Republicans’ 19, after Aaron Rouse (D) beat out Virginia Beach competitor Kevin Adams (R). Even more painful, the state’s voters helped to flip the House blue. Governor Glenn Youngkin (R), had gone to great lengths, personally raising substantial amounts of money, to back his conservative congressional colleagues in the state, only to lose huge.
3. New Jersey Stays Blue
Of eight key state senate seats that were up for grabs, Republicans only won two. NPR reports that incumbent Republican Vince Polistina won over Democratic challenger Caren Fitzpatrick in the race for District 2, and conservative Latham Tiver beat out progressive Gaye Burton for District 8. Democratic wins in districts 3, 4, 11, 14, 16, and 38 all helped the state remain Blue.
4. Pennsylvania’s Supreme Court Loss
Republican Carolyn Carluccio lost against left-wing opponent Daniel McCaffery in the state’s Supreme Court election. The results led to a 5-2 majority, further strengthening the Left’s hold in Pennsylvania. The GOP had high hopes of flipping the state’s Supreme Court red this year
following the 2022 death of left-wing Chief Justice Max Baer.
5. Ohio’s Abortion Rights
Voters in Ohio passed an amendment to cement access to abortions in the state’s constitution, making it the seventh US state to take the drastic action. Opponents to the amendment had claimed it would threaten parents’ rights and open the doors to “partial-birth” abortions. Conservatives haven’t given up yet, and they may even attempt to introduce a new amendment in next year’s ballot to reverse this one, although their window to do so is limited.
6. Ohio’s Drug Law Changes
A second ballot measure in Ohio legalized recreational marijuana across the state, effective 30 days after its approval, regulating and taxing the drug similarly to the way it manages alcohol. Adults who are at least 21 years old will be able to buy, possess, and sell it under regulated and state-taxed conditions. Opponents expressed fears that legalization would make edibles more accessible to minors and claimed to have law enforcement backing their stance.
The Left may have celebrated several wins, but a lot could still happen before the big elections hit next November. Americans are likely to vote based on where they stand on the economy, healthcare, the environment, immigration, government spending, and abortions, putting many high-stakes issues on the table for 2024.
Copyright 2023, RepublicanReport.org
