What impact did the election bring to your state? Below, see key election summaries in our major advocacy states: DE, GA, MD, NC, NJ, NY, PA, RI, and SC

DELAWARE

• Federal
  • Senator Tom Carper, former Governor of Delaware and frequent visitor to BAYADA’s Dover office was re-elected with 60% of the votes. Representative Lisa Blunt-Rochester secured 64.5% of votes and was reelected to a second term with an overwhelming victory over Republican opponent Scott Walker.
• State
  • Despite considerable turnover, Democrats retained control of the House and gained one seat to secure a 26-15 majority.
  • Key race: The area of Rockland and Hockessin flipped from Republican to Democratic control with political newcomer Laura Sturgeon besting Representative Greg Lavelle.
  • One half of the State senate was up for election. The Democrats gained a seat in this chamber as well, increasing the partisan split to 12-9.
  • Key race: Democrat Krista Griffith edged out Republican Deborah Hudson in the House District 12 race.
• KEY TAKEAWAY: Stronger majorities should mean that issues supported by the Democratic majority have a higher likelihood to pass both chambers. Delaware historically has remarkably low turnover rate, the reasoning as told by one legislator being, “If a person is doing a good job, it would be mean to run against them.” This year, however, about one quarter of the legislature will be new to the job following a slew of retirements and declinations to run for re-election. Education on Medicaid, home health care and other important issues relating to our work will be key to success in the coming session.
• For information on your district’s winners and losers, check out this detailed New York Times article on the DE elections.

GEORGIA

• Federal
  • Key race: The sixth district—once held by Newt Gingrich—was the only seat that flipped to blue in GA, where Democrat Lucy McBath narrowly defeated Republican incumbent Karen Handel with 50.5% of the vote.
  • Key race: In one of the tightest US House races in the country, incumbent Rob Woodall currently leads with 50.2% of the votes in Georgia’s seventh district, which includes portions of the northeast Atlanta metropolitan area. Representative Woodall, the incumbent, currently leads opponent Carolyn Bourdeaux by less than 1000 votes. Bourdeaux intends to request a recount if the final tally leaves her within one percent of the four-term incumbent.
• Statewide
  • After a very tight gubernatorial race between two former lawmakers, Republican Brian Kemp has declared victory over Democrat Stacey Abrams with 50.3% of the votes. However, on Monday November 12, a federal judge ordered a delay in the certification of the results due to concerns with the state’s voter registration system and handling of provisional ballots. Despite this judicial intervention, Abrams conceded on Friday, November 16 and Kemp is officially considered Governor-elect.
• State House & Senate
  • 32 of the states 56 senatorial seats went uncontested. Republicans retain a 105-71 majority. Similarly, 111 of the 180 state house races were uncontested, and Republicans retain a 105-71 majority.
• KEY TAKEAWAY: Voter access is still an issue in the US. Kemp served as Secretary of State—the position charged with overseeing elections—during this election, and the handling of provisional ballots has brought much scrutiny from voting rights groups. If neither candidate can win with 50 percent-plus-one-vote, the race will go into a runoff election on December 4. Additionally, though Republicans retain their majority across the board, the historical Republican stronghold appears to be loosening.
• For information on your district’s winners and losers, check out this detailed New York Times article on the GA elections

MARYLAND

• Federal
  • Key race: In the state’s most expensive race, Democrat David Trone won MD’s open US House seat with 58% of the vote.
  • Federally, there were no flips from red to blue or vice-versa. The US House remains 7-1 in favor of Democrats, and Democrat Ben Cardin kept his Senate seat in his race against Republican challenger Tony Campbell.
• Statewide
  • After what was predicted to be a close race, Republican incumbent Governor Larry Hogan won his re-election campaign against Democratic challenger Ben Jealous with more than 56% of the vote in a majority blue state.
• State House & Senate
  • Unsurprisingly, both the state House and Senate remained a Democratic majority with the help of re-election of House Speaker Michael Busch and Senate President Thomas V. Miller. With a solid lead in both the House and Senate, state Democrats can rely on their votes to override the Governor’s veto power in the MD legislature.
• KEY TAKEAWAY: While a “blue wave” hit the country, many were surprised that Republican Governor Hogan ended up with a solid 56% of the votes in an otherwise-Democratic state. This is only the second time in Maryland history that a Republican governor was reelected for a second term. Hogan has maintained one of the highest gubernatorial approval ratings in the country and his distanced himself from President Trump’s healthcare and immigration agenda, which may show that a satisfied constituent base can buck the national trend.
• For information on your district’s winners and losers, check out this detailed New York Times article on the MD elections

NEW JERSEY

• Federal
  • Key race: Incumbent Democrat US Senator Bob Menendez defeated Republican challenger Bob Hugin to continue on to a third term.
  • Key race: In one of the tightest races in the country, Democratic challenger Andy Kim has officially been called the winner in his race against Republican Tom MacArthur with a nail-biting late count of 49.9% to 48.4%. With three other wins, four US House seats were flipped to blue by NJ democrats.
• State House & Senate: NJ Special Elections Results
  • New Jersey’s state legislative and gubernatorial elections are held in odd-numbered years. However, there were eight special elections held to address ten seat vacancies created when Governor Phil Murphy tapped a number of lawmakers to his cabinet. All ten of the successful candidates are of the same party affiliation as their predecessors. Accordingly, Democrats continue to control the Senate and Assembly in the state.
• KEY TAKEAWAY: The “Blue Wave” struck New Jersey. Four US House districts shifted from red to blue, contributing to Democrats’ successful seize of US House control. Predictably, there are no significant changes to the already solidly blue state Assembly and Senate.
• For information on your district’s winners and losers, check out this detailed New York Times article on the NJ election.

NEW YORK

• Federal
  • New York’s Congressional races were fought primarily in Republican-held districts in New York City’s suburbs. Of the five most-watched races, Dems have officially won out in two, and will likely win a third, pending official result certification. Republicans have secured one seat and are predicted to pick up one more as votes are counted and election results certified. Thus, the New York delegation will likely sit comfortably at 21-6 in favor of democrats. Popular Senator Kirsten Gillibrand was easily reelected with over 66% of the vote.
• Statewide
  • Unsurprisingly, Democratic incumbent Andrew Cuomo won a third term as Governor with an overwhelming 59% of votes.
• State House & Senate
  • Democrats picked up eight seats and will enjoy a 40-23 majority, though five of those races remain slightly too close to call. In the house, Democrats will retain a 107-43 majority.
• KEY TAKEAWAY: After a very strong showing from Democrats, they will now control all three branches of government. Andrew Cuomo was re-elected as Governor, and Democrats expanded their majorities in both the House and the Senate.
• For information on your district’s winners and losers, check out this detailed New York Times article on the GA elections.

NORTH CAROLINA

• Federal
  • Despite several highly competitive Congressional races, NC did not see a change in the state’s Congressional make-up. In the US House, the NC delegation remains 10-3 in favor of Republicans.
• Statewide
  • There were no statewide elections in NC. Democrat Roy Cooper remains at the helm in the state’s governor’s mansion.
• State House & Senate
  • While the NC Republicans retained control in both chambers, the Democrats broke the Republican’s veto-proof super-majority. In the Senate, Democrats gained six additional seats bringing their total to 21. Senate Republicans retained 29 seats. In the House of Representatives, Democrats picked up nine additional seat for a total of 54. House Republicans retained 66. There are a few seats within margin triggering a recount.
• Key Race: In a tight race, Wake County Republican Representative Nelson Dollar, who was Senior House Appropriations Chair and a fixture in the legislature for 14 years, lost. Dollar was an expert on the budget and its process and was recognized by both parties as a skilled negotiator in conferencing with the Senate. The House and Senate alternate beginning the budget process by biennium, and this coming session (2019-2020) the House will present their budget first.
• KEY TAKEAWAY: Now that the legislature is balanced, legislators will be required to compromise and negotiate on important issues, which should result in less partisan and more thought-out public policies for our state. Of note, voter turnout was at an all-time high with 52% of registered voters casting a ballot—compared to 36% in 2016—making this election the highest turned-out midterm election since 1990.
• For information on your district’s winners and losers, check out this detailed New York Times article on the NC elections.

PENNSYLVANIA

• Federal
  • In the state’s US Senate race, Democratic incumbent Bob Casey scored a third term, blocking Lou Barletta’s attempt to unseat him.
  • All 18 US House seats were up for re-election. Dems managed to flip three seats, evening out the state’s party representation in the lower federal house to 9 Democrats and 9 Republicans.
• Statewide
  • Tom Wolf was handily re-elected to serve a second term as Governor, defeating Republican challenger Scott Wagner 57.7% to 40.8%.
• State House & Senate
  • Despite some close races and some significant gains for Democrats in the state house, Republicans narrowly maintain the lead in both the state House and Senate. Of important note, Dems broke the veto-proof majority in the Senate.
  • Key race: Doylestown-area home care champion and Rep. Marguerite Quinn lost her bid for PA State Senate to Representative Steve Santarsiero. She did not run for her PA state Representative seat, so she will be out of the state house as of January. We are so grateful for her support and will miss her in the PA General Assembly. Read more.
• KEY TAKEAWAY: Nationally, PA helped the democratic party by adding to the party’s overall US House gain. The state’s makeup stays about the same with a Republican-controlled legislature and a Democratic Governor. Rs and Ds will need to work together and compromise to achieve true changes.
• For information on your district’s winners and losers, check out this detailed New York Times article on the PA election.

RHODE ISLAND

• Federal
  • All three Democratic incumbents won in the US House and US Senate. Senator Whitehouse and Congressional members Cicilline and Langevin all enjoyed solid wins and will return to DC next term.
• Statewide
  • Incumbent Governor and Democrat Gina Raimondo handily won against Republican challenger Allan Fung, capturing 57.1% of the votes.
  • Of note is the mayors’ races across the state. Please see the New York Times elections article for details on these races.
• State House & Senate
  • As one of the bluest states in the nation, there is little to report. The Rhode Island House and Senate remain solidly democrat.
  • Key race: Representative Patricia Serpa, a home care champion who sponsored a private duty nursing (PDN) rate increase bill last year, was reelected. Home care supporters Speaker Mattiello and House Finance Committee chair Rep. Abney were also reelected.
• KEY TAKEAWAY: While plenty of states held their breath to see which direction voters would take, Rhode Islanders remained steadfast with their support of Democratic candidates. The two US House incumbents from RI will enjoy new Democratic colleagues from states outside of the blue New England area.
• For information on your district’s winners and losers, check out this detailed New York Times article on the RI elections.

SOUTH CAROLINA

• Federal
  • Key race: Democrat Joe Cunningham narrowly defeated Republican Katie Arrington in South Carolina’s most watched race for the 1^st Congressional District to replace Mark Stanford. Despite this Democratic victory, Republicans still hold five of the seven South Carolina congressional seats.
• Statewide
  • Republican Governor Henry McMaster secured his first full four-year term since succeeding the Governorship in 2017 after then-Governor Nikki Haley resigned to become the US Ambassador to the United Nations. McMaster handedly defeated his opponent James Smith with 54% of the vote.
  • McMaster’s Lieutenant Governor will be Pam Evette, a businessowner from Spartanburg. This was the first election in which the governor and lieutenant governor were on the same ballot.
• State House & Senate
  • The house remained consistent. 68 representatives ran uncontested, and the other 56 seats remained consistent, with the majority of current legislators retaining their seats.
  • The only state Senate race was a special election for the district 20, which covers portions of Lexington and Richland counties and which was vacated after former Republican Senator John Courson’s resignation. Dems managed to pick up the seat as Dick Harpootlian defeated Republican Benjamin Dunn with 52% of the vote.
• KEY TAKEAWAY: Despite small Democratic gains, Republicans retain a majority in both chambers at the state level. Ds managed to flip the senate seat in a special election. We’ll see what happens when all the other state senate seats are up for grabs in 2020 At the federal level, the Democratic Party successfully added a US Congressional seat in District 1, shocking politicos across the country: The last time Democrats flipped a House seat in SC was 1986.
• For information on your district’s winners and losers, check out this detailed New York Times article on the SC elections