Further Observations about the Elections

Among potentially swing states, Trumpism tragically prevailed in the Ohio, North Carolina, and Wisconsin senate races, and Florida has segued into a solidly Republican state, but the general tenor of nationwide results suggests that election denialism, the vogue for trying to attain power through thuggishness, and Trump himself have peaked and may be in decline. It was heartening that so many exemplary Democratic incumbent senators, representatives, and governors withstood heavily financed attacks.

It still looks like Republicans will gain control of the House, notably because of the effect of partisan gerrymandering by Republican-controlled legislatures. For example, Republicans apparently picked up four seats in Florida because of a Republican-drawn redistricting map. Democrats, in some of the states they control, have been guilty of gerrymandering too. But it’s the net benefit to Republicans nationwide that will likely give them control of the House. The Supreme Court of the United States dealt a heavy blow against American democracy when it washed its hands of gerrymandering. The incidence of gross distortion in the composition of state legislatures from gerrymandering is even worse.

As of this writing, the party that wins the senate races in at least two out of the three states still in contention — Arizona, Nevada, and Georgia — will control the senate for the next two years. As of now, it looks to me like Democrats have a slight edge.