Election Results 2010: Going Red

SENATE
The Democratic Party was able to stake its claim in the Senate by allowing the Republican Party only an additional six seats. The Democratic Party currently holds 53 seats, with the Republican Party holding 46 seats and Independent candidates holding two seats. The Senate will have the power to adjust the House vote on matters that disagree with President Barack Obama’s policies. Harry Reid will remain the Senate Majority Leader.

HOUSE
The House drastically changed affiliations as the Republican Party picked up a total of 60 seats during the election, making this the largest shift of power since 1938. The election has left the House with 239 Republican representatives claiming victories and 188 Democratic representatives holding their ground. Previously, the Democratic Party maintained control of the House with 256 representatives having Democratic affiliations and 177 representatives having Republican affiliations. At stake are issues such as health care, the national budget and debt. John Boehner may take the Speaker of the House position. Nancy Pelosi has expressed plans to run for minority whip.

GOVERNORSHIPS
Prior to the most recent elections, the governorships among the states were evenly distributed with 26 states represented by a Democratic candidate and 24 states represented by Republicans. During the last election only 37 seats were up for grabs, and the breakdown now includes 17 states represented by the Democratic Party, 29 represented by the Republican Party and one state represented by an Independent. The gubernatorial races were important as the newly elected officials will be responsible for reviewing the voting districts, which will affect future elections.

PUTTING IT ALL TOGETHER
On a local level, Robert Hurt (R-5) won the highly contested 5th District Senate race, beating out former representative Tom Perriello (D-5). Congressmen Bob Goodlatte (R-6) will still represent the 6th District.

The College Republicans at Liberty University have been recognized for the hours of work the group contributed to Hurt’s campaign. The group made approximately 60,000 phone calls and knocked on about 11,000 doors, College Republican Chairman Zach Martin said. The group also recruited more than 70 members and fielded 110 volunteers. Second Vice Chairwoman Caroline Biggs was responsible for organizing most of the recruits.

“(The College Republicans) played a significant role. I worked closely with them,” Political Activist Wendell Walker said. A lot of phone calls were made on behalf of Robert Hurt, even though the group is located in the 6th District.

Walker said that he believes God has given the country a second chance, and that it is Christians’ responsibility to bring the country back to God. Although the political power shift seems to be a sign of success for Republicans, the party may still face some strife in overturning such items such as the recent health care bill, because Republicans have only gained control of the House and the Democrats maintain control of the Senate.

“It’s going to be a gridlock. I think you will see a lot of fighting going on,” Walker said. “I think that the new conservatives and the tea party are committed to freedom. I think this new class of congressional leaders is much more committed to family values. They seem to have more courage and backbone.”

Walker said that the Republican Party is changing by becoming more conservative and less moderate.

“This is an opportunity for us to get things right. If we don’t step up to the plate and provide the leadership, we will be in the minority two years from now,” Walker said.