Illinois’ Midterm Elections Results
November 7th was the “Midterm Elections” a day filled with lines of voters that were ready to cast their ballots. At the time of this writing, November 12th, these are the current results. Here in Illinois Governor J.B Pritzker (Democrat) and challenger Darren Bailey (Republican) faced off in the Illinois Governor Election. After months of numerous advertisements and debates between the two politicians, it was now time for the people to choose. The winner was Pritzker. The city of Chicago was a great aid for Pritzker. Governor Pritzker beat Darren Bailey by 54% of the votes, 2,130,170 votes. Darren Bailey accumulated 43.3% of the votes, 1,707,861 votes.
For Illinois representatives, Democrats won 14 out of the 17 U.S House seats. Republicans won Districts 12th, 15th, and 16th. 12th District to Bost by 75.4% of the votes. 15th District to Miller by 71.4% of the votes. 16th District to LaHood by 66.6% of the votes. Democrat flipped the 13th District and Budzinski won by 55.9% of the votes.
For Illinois Senate, Democrat Tammy Duckworth beat Republican Kathy Salvi by 55.8% of the votes. This was the only seat in the Senate that was up for election in Illinois. Across the country, 35 out of 100 U.S Senate seats were up for election.
Majority in the House
Republicans are currently leading for the majority in the U.S House of Representatives. Midterm elections are important for this exact reason, the majority of the House is very important. You might be asking why, so let me explain. The majority party in the House of Representatives has great influence over the creation of chamber rules and the scheduling of bills for discussion and voting. Most of the time, House rules will restrict debate to allow for the passage of significant legislation in a single legislative business day.
Voting rights, abortion access, and other Democratic aspirations are doomed if a Republican majority is in either chamber. And the rest of Biden’s recognizable “Build Back Better” structure would probably suffer a similar end.
Other political analysts claimed that Biden would find it challenging to govern if Republicans gain a majority.
Majority in the Senate
But in the Senate, Republicans are also currently leading for the majority in the U.S Senate. The majority in the Senate is also very important. Although the majority in the Senate has the authority to decide when different bills are brought to the floor for a vote, one Senator can prevent legislation from being brought to the floor for a vote. The majority and minority must work together to establish the procedures for debate on legislation since the Senate does not adjourn until 60 senators support a cloture resolution approving a measure for consideration. In accordance with this system, the Senate floor can be used to discuss legislation for up to two weeks.
Before the Midterm Elections, Democrats were in control of the House but now the roles have flipped. Democrats have lost 9 seats, while the Republicans have gained 7 seats.
Biden’s Effect on Midterm Elections
According to the most recent POLITICO/Morning Consult poll, only 43% of respondents approve of the president, with 55% disapproving of him. A closer look at the data reveals that people who “strongly disapprove” of Biden are nearly always lined up with Republicans, while those who “strongly approve” of him plan to vote for Democrats almost unanimously this November.
Written by Gabriel Salgado
Sources:
POLITICO: Biden’s low approval ratings weigh on undecided voters
FOX News: 2022 Midterm election results: Republicans need just seven seats to capture the House majority
BALLOTPEDIA: United States Senate election in Illinois, 2022
Congressman Tim Walberg: How Congress Works
CBS News: House control leans Republican but some races remain up in the air
ABC News: What’s at stake for Joe Biden in the midterm elections
Top and Featured Image Courtesy of Andrew Evans Flickr Page – Creative Commons License
Inset Image Courtesy of Radek Kucharski Flickr Page – Creative Commons License
