The voters’ decisions last night resulted in several noteworthy shifts in power in Washington, D.C., and many state capitals. As of 7 a.m. on Wednesday, the Democrats gained a net total of 26 seats in the U.S. House of Representatives, shifting control from the Republicans for the first time in eight years. Republicans gained a net of two seats in the U.S. Senate with four races yet to be decided. In short, the voters delivered a divided Congress.
Capitol Washington DC“We must continue to communicate the issues that matter to your cooperative and community to newly elected members of Congress.”NRECA CEO Jim Matheson
“We must continue to communicate the issues that matter to your cooperative and community to newly elected members of Congress.”NRECA CEO Jim Matheson
In the Senate, as of 7 a.m. Wednesday, Republicans held a 51-45 margin. Four seats switched hands due to incumbent losses, with Republicans winning three seats currently held by Democrats in states President Trump carried in 2016 (Indiana, Missouri and North Dakota) and Democrats gaining a Nevada seat currently held by a Republican. Races in Montana, Florida, and Arizona remained too close to call as of 7 a.m. Wednesday, and one race (Mississippi) will head to a runoff.
In the House, Democrats won control of the chamber with a margin of 219-193 by winning 11 open seats previously held by Republicans and defeating 17 incumbents. Republicans picked up a handful of seats previously occupied by Democrats as well. There were still 23 races that were too close to call as of 7 a.m. Wednesday.
America’s electric cooperatives played an active role in the midterm election, including vigorous voter registration efforts and outreach to many of the new members of Congress during the campaign.
“Now, we must continue to communicate the issues that matter to your cooperative and community to newly elected members of Congress before they take office in Washington,” said National Rural Electric Cooperative Association CEO Jim Matheson.
“Even though Democrats won the House, the thin margin they have over Republicans will make moderate voices even more important in the next Congress,” Matheson added. “We should lean into issues like expanding our critical infrastructure, which have been stalled in this Congress but will likely be areas of agreement next year.”