2022 Midterm Election Results

Another election cycle has come and gone and with it, new insights into the future of abortion access, medical uses of psychedelics, and the 2024 Presidential election have come to light. While many political analysts forecasted a ‘red wave’ on Tuesday, record numbers of young voters, exceeding 2018 records in some places, turned out and caused more of a red ripple.

In the Senate, democrats picked up an extra seat but have yet to defend their majority. A democratic win in Pennsylvania, where John Fetterman beat out T.V. personality Dr. Oz, means battleground states such as Georgia, Nevada, and Arizona will likely determine the Senate majority. The Georgia race between Hershal Walker (R) and Raphael Warnock (D) is expected to head into a run-off election in early December, as neither candidate has exceeded 50% of the vote.

Though there are many races within the House of Representatives that remain too close to call, political experts project a partisan control of the house. Of the 213 Democratic-held seats, six were picked up on election night. Republicans now hold 222 seats with a net gain of 14 from election night.

History was made in Massachusetts last night as voters elected Maura Healey, the nation’s first openly lesbian governor-elect, and the first woman to be elected governor of Mass. Ballot measures in California, Kentucky, Michigan, and Vermont dealt with the right to abortion access, all four states voted overwhelmingly to codify the right to reproductive health.

“If there’s one thing this election has shown us, it’s that the American people see the threat that Republicans pose to their right to reproductive care, and it’s a right they will not give up without a fight,” Representative Diana DeGette (D-CO) says in a statement.

The American people made their voices heard loud and clear in this election, and it should end any doubt about Americans’ overwhelming desire to restore the protections we had under Roe v. Wade nationwide. As we await the final outcome of this election, our mandate from the American people is clear: We must fight with everything we have to restore and protect Americans’ right to abortion care.”

Colorado remained a blue state after this year’s election with incumbent Democratic candidates beating out Republican opposition in the Senate, Attorney General, Secretary of State, and Governor’s offices.

“I am proud of the progress we’ve made together and proud of how the Polis-Primavera administration has put the needs of Coloradans above all else every step of the way,” sys Lieutenant Governor Primavera.

“We have a bold, positive vision for this state we love so much and we have worked to deliver on that vision by listening to and solving problems for the people of Colorado. “I couldn’t be more thankful to the people of Colorado for trusting us to keep getting the job done for four more years.”

Colorado voters also decriminalized hallucinogenic compounds for adults 21-plus, making it the second state after Oregon to do so. Colorado also voted yes on ballot measures that allocated tax revenue for affordable housing funds and the creation of a public school meal program. Voters did not, however, pass the ballot measure allowing alcohol delivery.

Results from last night’s election also shed light on the upcoming 2024 Presidential election. Florida incumbent Ron DeSantis maintained the governor’s office despite his plans on running for President in the next two years. Elsewhere, Trump-backed republicans lost their races in several states, leading political analysts to conjecture that the GOP has begun to move away from the previous president’s politics.

OFM will continue to monitor election results as more ballots are counted and run-offs completed.