Andy Beshear on Election Night 2023 after securing his second term as Kentucky governor. (J. Tyler Franklin/ LMP)
Election were in full swing on Tuesday, with both Democrats and Republicans campaigning in key elections races. Although the races themselves had unpredictable outcomes, the Democrats had the upper hand in winning key races that are crucial to the upcoming 2024 presidential election. Here is what we can say about the results of these races.
Major Win for Govenor Beshear
(Attorney General Daniel Cameron on the left, Govenor Andy Beshear on the right) Photo by: AP Photos
One of the most closely watched races was the gubernatorial election in Kentucky. The race was contested by Republican Attorney General Daniel Cameron to unseat incumbent Governor Andy Beshear. Daniel Cameron was elected Attorney General in 2019. He campaigned on a platform of improving schools, increasing teacher pay, a strong economic agenda, and a public safety plan. However, Andy Beshear is a much more popular governor in his state, having served as attorney general himself in 2015 before running in the 2019 governor election, which he won by a narrow margin of 49.2% over the previous Governor Matt Bevin. Govenor Andy Beshear is considered popular with a 60% approval rating among in the county among Republicans, Democrats, and independents according to the Morning Consult poll. Andy Beshear was also admired because of his father Steve Beshear who was governor of the state from 2007 to 2015 who was also popular in the county. Abortion rights also played a huge role in the gubernatorial election as Andy Beshear campaigned for abortion rights across Kentucky as his opponent Daniel Cameron campaigned for a full abortion ban in the state. This may have affected Daniel’s campaign as abortion is a big issue of discussion in America. Beshear’s win marks a significant advantage for the Democrats as Kentucky is a Republican stronghold. In 2020, Trump won the state with 62.1% of the vote against Joe Biden’s 36.1%. The same can be said for the 2016 election, where Trump had a commanding lead with 62.5% of the vote compared to Hillary Clinton’s 32.7% of the vote in Kentucky. While Kentucky took center stage last Tuesday, there were other elections that were just as important as Kentucky.
Rhode Island Congressional District
Democrat Gabe Amo gives both thumbs up to the room full of election night supporters, Tuesday, Nov. 7, 2023, at The Guild in Pawtucket, R.I., after winning Rhode Island’s 1st Congressional District seat. The former White House aide will become the state’s first Black candidate elected to the U.S. House. (Kris Craig/Providence Journal via AP)(Kris Craig / Associated Press)
In Rhode Island, Democrat Gabe Amo defeated his Republican challenger Gerry Leonard for the 1st Congressional District seat. Gabe Amo will be the first African American to represent the state of Rhode Island. Born in Pawtucket of Ghanaian and Liberian immigrants, He study public policy at Wheaton College and Oxford University. He later worked for the Obama and the Biden administrations. He campaigns on banning assault rifles, fighting for Social Security/ Medicare, work to preserve pro-choice legislation, and legislation to curb climate change. The election occurred when the previous Democratic Representative, David Cicillini, he stepped down to take the position of President and CEO of the Rhode Island Foundation. Gerry Leonard was a former Marine who campaigned to unite the people of Rhode Island and to not focus on partisan issues. In his statement he said “While talking heads and political operatives seek to divide, my mission is to unite Rhode Islanders no matter their political persuasion. In DC, my mission is clear, put Rhode Islanders first and stop extremism from both sides of the aisle.” Gabe Amo won the special election with 64.9% of the vote, while Garry Leonard received only 35.1% of the vote.
Referendums in Ohio
Issue 1 supporters cheer at a watch party Tuesday in Columbus, Ohio. Sue Ogrocki/AP
Ohio held a special election to amend abortion rights and legalize recreational marijuana use in the state. Both referendums passed with Issue 1 (right to abortion) passing by a margin of 56.6% yes compared to 43.4% no. On Issue 2 (legalization of marijuana) the votes were 57% yes in favor of legalization to 43 not in favor of legalizing marijuana. The state held its election after the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade ending the right to have an abortion on an unborn child in 2022. This is a blow to pro-life groups who support banning abortion in clinics nationwide. President Joe Biden said in a statement after the vote in Ohio that “Ohioans and voters across the country rejected attempts by MAGA Republican elected officials to impose extreme abortion bans that put the health and lives of women in jeopardy, force women to travel hundreds of miles for care, and threaten to criminalize doctors and nurses for providing the health care that their patients need and that they are trained to provide."