Congress Updates: Highly Contested Races Amidst Election Chaos

By Riley Mulcahy
News Reporter

Tuesday’s election is still not over, however in many of the key House of Representatives and Senate races, they have been decided. Democrats had hoped for a “Blue Wave” in the Senate, which would have flipped the Senate control to the Democrats and given them the power of both the House and the Senate. However, the Senate’s fate is all but sealed, with Republicans most likely maintaining a majority. The Democrats have lost several House seats; however, they still retain control of the House.

One of the most talked-about races included the race against incumbent Senator Susan Collins (R-Maine). She, according to The New York Times, is the only Republican on the ballot not to have endorsed President Trump. Collins’s opponent Democrat Sara Gideon had a strong backing nationally, however, that did not translate to local support. According to the Associated Press Collins won the race by an 8.9% lead.

In Arizona, incumbent Senator Martha McSally lost her seat to Democrat challenger Mark Kelly, former astronaut and husband of former Congresswoman Gabby Gifford. Congresswoman Gifford was shot during an assassination attempt and had to resign. Although Arizona traditionally votes Republican, Kelly’s projected victory is not particularly surprising. Political analysts argue that the changing demographics in Arizona and President Trump’s attacks on late Senator John McCain are some of the main reasons why McSally was struggling to win the traditionally red state. President Trump mocked the late senator many times, with the President criticising McCain’s military service, claiming he likes “people who weren’t captured.”

Georgia’s Senate race, just as the presidential race in the state has been developing over the couple days of the election. Republican incumbent Kelly Loeffler faced off against fellow Republican Doug Collins and Democrat nominee Raphael Warnock. Collins took third in overall all votes and because both Loeffler and Warnock were unable to achieve fifty percent of the vote, a runoff is scheduled in January. 

Also in Georgia, the second Senate race is headed to a runoff race as well. Incumbent Republican Senator David Perdue is facing off with challenger Jon Ossoff. The race was called with Perdue leading the race; however, he only had 49.7 percent of the vote, which is below the 50 percent threshold. The races, which will take place on January 5th 2021, will determine which party will take control of the Senate. 

This election has been nerve-wracking for most Americans, regardless of their party line. President Trump has continued to repeat falsehoods about the legitimacy of the election, calling for recounts in numerous states, and has filed lawsuits to contest the election results. Trump supporters have come to election sites to “observe” the vote, while Biden supporters have been protesting and arguing that every vote should count. President Trump has falsely declared victory and accused that the election is “stolen.” Not knowing the results of the presidential race the night of the election is not that unusual, especially with an election carrying so much weight. 

Saturday’s news of Biden’s victory has not stopped President Trump’s accusations that the election was “stolen” from him. President-Elect and Vice President-Elect have already started working on their COVID response, announcing Monday a twelve-member task force that will be critical for the upcoming Biden administration to battle the virus. Depending on the results of the Georgia Senate races, President-Elect Biden may have an uphill battle passing any laws, as Republican Senators have vowed to fight the Biden administration on crucial issues.