Midterms filled with historic elections, voter turnout

by Kaya Garza

Image via The Daily Herald

These midterm elections have been deemed “the most significant elections of our lifetimes,” and based on Tuesday’s events and Wednesday’s results, that title seems to be very fitting. The Democrats are projected to flip the House and the Republicans projected to keep a hold of the Senate.

First, what exactly are midterms?
Midterms are general elections that occur every four years during November, nearing the midpoint of the President‘s term. Senator, House of Representatives, and Governor positions are contested. Usually at this midpoint, the party opposite of the President‘s flips at least the House or the Senate.

This year, the House claimed a Democratic majority, and Republicans kept their Senate majority.

In Utah, Ben McAdams (D) challenged incumbent Mia Love for Utah’s 4th Congressional District. In the other three districts, Republicans won by a great amount. The Love vs McAdams race has not yet been confirmed by Utah District 4.
Mitt Romney is replacing Orrin Hatch’s seat in the Senate, winning by a strong 62.4% race against Democratic Jenny Wilson, with 31.6% of the votes.
District 1 results: Rob Bishop (R )
District 2: Chris Stewart (R )
District 3: John Curtis (R )
District 4: Unconfirmed but projected to be Ben McAdams (D) at a 51% lead.

Prop 2, concerning medical marijuana, was passed as was Prop 3 for Medicaid expansion and Prop 4 for a redistricting commission.

Constitutional Amendment A, which is military property tax exemption, was passed along with Constitutional Amendment C, Changes related to special legislative sessions.

And lastly, Nonbinding Opinion Question 1, the gas tax increase for education and roads was not passed with 66.1% against.

Utah is among the handful of states who legalized medical marijuana, and has seen an increase in Democratic voters.

Here is a list of all of the elected candidates who made history:
•Sharice Davids (D), first openly lesbian Native American congresswoman
•Ilhan Omar, first Muslim congresswoman
•Ayanna Pressley (D), first black Congresswoman from Massachusetts
•Veronica Escobar (D), first Latinx congresswoman from Texas
•Sylvia Garcia (D), Latinx congresswoman from Texas
•Rashida Tlaib (D), Muslim congresswoman
•Jared Polis (D), first openly gay man elected Governor
•Deb Haaland (D), Native American congresswoman
•Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D), youngest congresswoman ever elected
•Joe Neguse (D), first black congressman from Colorado
•Michelle Lujan Grisham (D), first Latinx woman elected Governor
•Chris Pappas (D), first openly gay congress member from New Hampshire
•Letitia “Tish” James (D), first black woman Attorney General from New York
•Jahana Hayes (D), first black congresswoman from Conneticut
•Keith Ellison (D), first Muslim statewide elected official in the U.S.
•Kalan Haywood (D), youngest state legislator
•Angie Craig (D), first lesbian mother in Congress
•Marsha Blackburn ( R), first woman senator from Tennessee

This has been the biggest historically altering midterms ever, and will certainly change the course of midterms and Presidential elections for years to come.

“It was definitely a Democratic win,” said Rockwell sophomore Jaron Winn. “I’m really glad they flipped the House.”