Lisa Blunt Rochester Wins, Makes Senate History in Delaware
By Donna M. Owens Democratic Rep. Lisa Blunt Rochester will become the first Black woman to represent Delaware in the Senate after she defeated Republican Eric Hansen and independent candidate Mike Katz, NBC News projects. Blunt Rochester, 62, told NBC News before Election Day that she had her sights set on creating jobs, protecting reproductive rights, health care and centering the needs of seniors and families. Blunt Rochester, who is in her fourth term in the House, is a history-making politician, already the first woman and the first Black person to represent the state in Congress. Yet she stressed that her
South Carolina Bans Noncitizen Voting in State Elections
By Aris Folley South Carolina voters approved a GOP-backed proposal on Tuesday that seeks to block non-U.S. citizens from voting in elections in a move that critics have said is “completely unnecessary.” The measure would amend the state’s constitution to allow “only” citizens to vote in elections, as former President Trump and other Republicans have spread unfounded claims that there is widespread noncitizen voter fraud. State Sen. Chip Campsen (R-S.C.) said in remarks obtained by The Post and Courier that the effort is a “belt and suspenders approach” to prevent changes in the court later on. “Constitutional provisions are for the long run. Unless
House Control May Take Weeks After 2024 Election
By Emily Brooks It could be days — or even weeks — before Americans know who will control the House of Representatives in the next Congress, setting up what could be a long and anxious window of uncertainty surrounding the balance of power on Capitol Hill next year. There are dozens of closely contested seats up for grabs, setting the stage for a potential scenario where many of those contests are too close to call on election night and the race to 218 remains unresolved. Determining the ultimate winner in that situation will almost certainly take days — or longer
Trump Wins Second Term Amid Controversy and Division
By Sara Smith, BBC This is surely the most dramatic comeback in US political history. Four years after leaving the White House, Donald Trump is set to move back in, after millions of Americans voted to give him a second chance. The election campaign was one for the history books: he survived two assassination attempts and his original opponent President Joe Biden dropped out just months before election day. Although final votes are still being counted, the majority of Americans in key battleground states chose to vote for him, with many citing the economy and immigration as a chief concern.
Angela Alsobrooks Wins Maryland Senate, Defeats Hogan
By Ursula Perano, Politico Democrat Angela Alsobrooks has won the Maryland Senate race, according to The Associated Press, fending off former two-term GOP Gov. Larry Hogan. The win comes as a relief for Democrats, who had not budgeted to defend Maryland this cycle. It’s generally considered a safe blue seat, particularly in a presidential year. But Hogan is highly popular among Maryland voters — and his entrance ramped up focus on the race. Alsobrooks leaned in on Senate math as a crux of her argument, asking voters to consider the likelihood of a Senate Republican majority if Hogan was elected. She
Howard Rallies for Kamala Harris Amid Election Night Tension
By Curtis Bunn As midnight approached Tuesday night at Howard University, where a mass of Kamala Harris supporters gathered to await results of the presidential election, lingering anxiousness gave way to exhilaration. And then concern. It was that way all night on “The Yard” at the historically Black college, which Harris graduated from in 1986. Moments of celebration were doused by projections that favored her rival, Republican Donald Trump. By the time Tuesday night crept into Wednesday morning, the concern of the unknown prevailed. “I wanted this to be a coronation tonight,” said Ben Eddins, a Howard alumnus. “She deserves it.
State Legislature Races Could Reshape U.S. Policy in 2024
By Ryland Barton Tucked at the bottom of the ballot, races for the state legislature can have an enormous effect on issues from abortion to guns to voting access. Control of legislatures is up for grabs in several states this year. Republicans are defending vulnerable majorities in Arizona, New Hampshire and Wisconsin, and Democrats are trying to stay on top in Michigan, Minnesota and Pennsylvania. And as Congress remains largely gridlocked, state legislatures are productive, introducing more bills, and passing more laws. That’s partly because nearly every legislature is controlled by one party or the other, making it easier to pass laws over
Key 2024 Senate Races That Could Flip Congressional Power
By Susan Davis Republicans are favored to take control of the chamber next year thanks to a 2024 election map that has Democrats defending seven seats in conservative or swing states and on offense just two in the safe Republican states of Texas and Florida. Democrats narrowly control the Senate 51-49 today, but with West Virginia all but certain to flip Republican after the impending retirement of Sen. Joe Manchin who registered as an independent in May. Here are the races to watch: Arizona Democratic Congressman Ruben Gallego has consistently polled ahead of Republican Kari Lake in the closing weeks
Kamala Harris to Return to Howard for Election Night
Courtesy of Howard University Vice President Kamala Harris will return to Howard University on election night. Harris, who graduated from the university, plans to spend Tuesday evening with at her alma mater. With that comes and increased security presence and safety measures to help students and the vice president safe as they prepare for Tuesday’s event. The campus is transforming as they prepare to host the VP and her running mate, Tim Walz. The campaign confirmed last Thursday that they will host their election night event there and it’s been non-stop preps ever since. Crews are working around the clock,
Howard Alumni Shaping U.S. Democracy and Civic Leadership
By Cedric Mobley For 157 years, Howard University has served as the nexus of intellectual engagement and social advocacy to ensure that all Americans can fully exercise all the rights of citizenship. Even before the end of slavery, the work of Frederick Douglass, who would become a Howard trustee, served as the foundation for universal enfranchisement. A century later, Howard Law School dean Charles Hamilton Houston and his student, Thurgood Marshall, would successfully challenge segregation and catalyze the fall of government-sanctioned racial discrimination, including participation in the democratic process. Following their lead, scores of Howard alumni have kicked down doors
