America saw red on Tuesday and Michigan was no exception. Republicans across the country , challengers and incumbents alike, were elected to the U.S. House and Senate, along with several governor positions. By the end of the night, the GOP gained seven U.S. Senate seats, thirteen U.S. House seats and three gubernatorial seats.
In short, Republicans took control of the U.S. Senate, built on their previously held majority in the U.S. House, and won four governor seats previously held by Democrats.
The current division of the federal government is as follows: a Democrat sits in the White House, 233 Republicans to 199 Democrats sit in the U.S. House of Representatives, and there are 52 GOP Senators to 45 Democrats.
Of the four statewide elections, Republicans won all but the U.S. Senate seat with Democrat Gary Peters defeating Terri Lynn Land. Governor Snyder, Attorney General Bill Schuette and Secretary of State Ruth Johnson, all Republicans, were re-elected.
In the 14 U.S. House races, Democrats won only the four districts surrounding Detroit (districts 9, 12,13,14) along with District 5 (East Shore, Bay City) The rest of the state voted Republican.
Despite efforts by both parties to increase voter participation, voter turnout decreased since the 2010 midterms in all but 12 states.
MSU College Democrats President Brianna Shamsuddoha said her organization was disappointed.
“Nation and statewide, we’re pretty disappointed,” Shamsuddoha said. “It’s tough, you know? It’s tough.”
MSU College Republicans President Lisa Jankowski had a much different reaction than Shamsuddoha. Because her party succeeded in so many races, Jankowski said she was “thrilled,” although she noted she was disappointed Michigan did not elect Terri Lynn Land.
Shamsuddoha and Jankowski, despite supporting different parties, both were discouraged by the number of young people who did not vote. Both believe younger generations have become disengaged, suspicious and apathetic toward politics, which is why they think the youth vote was so low.
Younger demographics tend to vote Democratic, but Jankowski said she would have preferred more young people voting, even if that came at the expense of a Republican losing.
“I think everybody should be out there and vote. People literally fought for this," Jankowski said. "It’s our constitutional right and it is our duty as Americans to get out there and vote, regardless of where you fall along the political spectrum.
Jankowski said she thinks Republicans did well because people were ready for a change from the president’s policies. She believes Republicans can work with the president and finally get things done.
“You definitely have to work with everybody," Jankowski said. "You have to work with Democrats, even if you have the majority, because otherwise, legislation’s not gonna happen.”
