Nicky is a senior in psychology and women's and gender studies
There are plenty of reasons to be upset about the midterm election results. Representing North Carolina, Thom Tillis beat Kay Hagan in the senatorial race. On a national level, the Republican Party won full control of Congress.
It could be argued that, had the conservative American Future Fund not exploited libertarian candidate Sean Haugh’s pro-marijuana stance to split the liberal vote between two candidates, Tillis may not have won. The fund did this by paying for a series of awkward ads, promoting a “Get Haugh, Get High,” slogan. Whether or not this affected the race is, at this point, irrelevant.
Still, money played a significant role in the election, as is usually the case. The Koch Network, comprised of the ultra-conservative Koch brothers’ Americans for Prosperity and the super PAC Freedom Partners Action Fund, spent $100 million dollars during this election cycle, as the National Journal reports. It’s no wonder the Republicans gained control of the senate.
Yes, this is the same political party responsible for the federal government shutdown of 2013. Just as a quick reminder: The Republican-led House of Representatives shut the government down because they refused to do their jobs like adults—which would require working with democrats, resulting in failure to legislate funds for 2014.
In like fashion, this is the same party that refused to pass any legislation (even legislation they somewhat supported) this year because working in a divided government sometimes means not always getting exactly what you want.
This so-called “Grand Ol’ Party” opposed the Affordable Care Act so strongly that some, such as Virginia Senate candidate Ed Gillespie, included repealing it among their campaign promises.
Republicans will not be able to repeal it, by the way, but they will be able to alter the act and find ways around their limitations, according to The Washington Post.
For everyone who isn’t a straight, rich, white guy, this is looking a little bleak. But there is a thin silver lining—two, really—that women’s rights advocates can appreciate.
The nation, for the first time in U.S. history, elected more than 100 women to congress. Alma Adams marked the milestone as the 100th woman elected to congress this season, according to NBC News.
Does this mean the end of women’s plight in the nation? Or, maybe, does this mean the battle for reproductive justice will finally see closure? Probably not. But it’s a step in the right direction.
On top of that, West Virginia elected 18-year-old college freshman Saira Blair, to its house of delegates. Blair now holds the record as the youngest state legislator in the United States. This comes as just another win for women of excellence.
Something of an afterthought, too, comes the legalization of cannabis in Oregon, which marks the third state to legalize the plant for recreational use.