Democratic Gubernatorial Candidates Had A Very, Very Bad Night
Posted in Main Blog (All Posts) on November 5th, 2014 12:08 am by HL
Democratic Gubernatorial Candidates Had A Very, Very Bad Night
WASHINGTON — Republicans had been predicted to take control of the Senate Tuesday evening, but Democrats hoped to do better in gubernatorial races. That hope was more than disappointed, as even Democrats who had been expected to easily win in Democratic-leaning states were defeated.
In deep-blue Maryland, Lt. Gov. Anthony Brown conceded to Republican Larry Hogan. In Massachusetts, Attorney General Martha Coakley suffered a crushing loss. And in Maine, deeply unpopular Republican Gov. Paul LePage beat back a challenge from Democratic Rep. Michael Michaud. In all three of those states, Democratic winners would have achieved milestones: Brown could have been Maryland’s first black governor, Coakley could have become Massachusetts’ first woman who was elected governor, and Michaud could have become the nation’s first openly gay man elected governor.
Vermont Gov. Peter Shumlin, chairman of the Democratic Governors Association, didn’t even get the requisite 50 percent of the vote needed to win outright in his state. The Vermont legislature will decide the winner.
In five states where Democrats thought they could topple a Republican incumbent, there were no upsets. Wisconsin’s Scott Walker, Michigan’s Rick Snyder, Florida’s Rick Scott, Kansas’ Sam Brownback and Georgia’s Nathan Deal all prevailed.
Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn, a Democrat who was recognized as being in danger, apparently did get the boot from voters, who picked Republican Bruce Rauner, a venture capitalist and self-proclaimed member of the “.01 percent.” Quinn hadn’t yet conceded.
The bright spots for Democrats were few and far between. Rhode Island Treasurer Gina Raimondo became the state’s first female governor. Pennsylvania’s unpopular Republican Gov. Tom Corbett, as expected, was defeated by Democratic businessman Tom Wolf. Democrat David Ige won in Hawaii. And three Democratic governors — Minnesota’s. Mark Dayton, New Hampshire’s Maggie Hassan and Oregon’s John Kitzhaber — all held on by narrow margins.
Connecticut’s race between Gov. Dannel Malloy (D) and GOP businessman Tom Foley was exceedingly close, and Colorado’s race between Gov. John Hickenlooper (D) and Republican Bob Beauprez hadn’t been called early Wednesday.
The only Democratic gubernatorial candidate who may sleep easily was California Gov. Jerry Brown, who was safely elected to a record fourth term.
Congress Will Have 100 Women For The First Time In History
Democrat Alma Adams will become the 100th woman in the 113th Congress after winning a special election on Tuesday to replace Rep. Mel Watts (D-N.C.), who became director of the Federal Housing Finance Agency earlier this year.
Because it was a special election, Adams will be sworn in shortly and will not have to wait until January. When that happens, it will be the first time Congress has ever had 100 women members concurrently serving.
Before Tuesday, there were 20 women senators and 79 congresswomen. The make-up of the 114th Congress will be determined after all of Tuesday’s races are called, but the number is unlikely to stay at 100.
“Alma Adams is a trailblazer and champion for women and families who is now poised to make history as the 100th woman serving in Congress,” said Stephanie Schriock, president of EMILY’s List, a progressive PAC dedicated to electing women who support abortion rights.
“Working families need leaders like Alma, who will unapologetically fight to protect women’s reproductive healthcare access and economic security. And with the help of the EMILY’s List community – now more than three million members strong – Alma is on her way to igniting change in Congress.”
Brenda Lawrence Wins Midterm Election Race Against Christina Conyers In Michigan
Democrat Brenda Lawrence defeated Republican Christina Conyers in Tuesday’s midterm election.
Lawrence and Conyers were facing off to represent Michigan’s 14th District in Congress. Democrat Gary Peters, who currently represents that district, ran for the Senate this year against Republican Terri Lynn Land and won the seat.
Lawrence is currently the mayor of Southfield, a suburb of Detroit.
See more on the midterm elections below:
