After four years of Democratic gains, the Republican Party took several seats in the U.S. House of Representatives and Senate yesterday, ultimately retaking control of the House. As a result, the two houses of Congress will be split along party lines for the first time since 2002.
As of press time, it appeared the Republicans would claim 58 additional seats in the House and six in the Senate.
"In the Senate, Republicans are struggling to find a way to get to that crucial 51st seat," said Isaac Wood, communications director for the Center for Politics and a former Cavalier Daily columnist.
Wood works with Politics Prof. Larry Sabato on the Crystal Ball, a publication that projected Republicans would win take back eight Senate seats and more than 55 seats in the House.
Despite significant gains for the GOP, the Democratic Party also found success in certain areas. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, for example, was re-elected after a tightly contested race that captured national media attention. In Virginia's third district, meanwhile, Democratic incumbent Bobby Scott won 70 percent of the vote.
Nevertheless, Virginia overall is a prime example of the renewed support for the GOP. Eight Republican candidates won their elections across the state's eleven districts, three of which changed from blue to red.
Democrats found success in the third and eighth districts. Democratic incumbent Gerry Connolly leads by an estimated 487 votes in the eleventh district, which will be recounted before announcing a winner.
In the ninth district, Republican Morgan Griffith won 51 percent of the vote to upset incumbent Rick Boucher, who held the position for 28 years.\nThe surge in Republican support carried into Virginia's Fifth District, where Republican candidate Robert Hurt defeated Democratic incumbent Tom Perriello.
President Obama made one of his only appearances for an individual House Democrat last Friday to show support for Perriello, a move that Wood called "a roll of the dice" that could have hurt independent support.
Opinions of the president played a role in the decisions made by 51 percent of voters, according to a poll by Zogby International. About 60 percent of independents and 72 percent of conservatives said Obama was a factor in their decision to vote.
The poll data shows that 45 percent of those who voted for Obama in 2008 have a more positive view of him now, while 40 percent see him in a more negative light.
Wood cited the national political climate as the main cause for Perriello's loss and the losses of other Democratic incumbents.
"I think the most important factor is just the national standing of the political parties," he said, noting that the Democratic Party has lost significant support during the past two years.
In addition to Perriello, Boucher was clearly harmed by national sentiments, Wood said.
Gov. Bob McDonnell released a statement yesterday congratulating the newly elected Republicans and reiterating the importance of looking forward.
"It is time for all of us, including our newly elected governors, senators, representatives and others, to join together to get this nation back on track, our economy back in gear and our citizens back to work. I look forward to participating in this important work in the years ahead," McDonnell said.
Despite the majority that the GOP now holds in the House, Wood said he was doubtful that any policy change would occur during the next two years. Instead, the ideological discrepancy between Obama and the now-Republican-controlled House will lead to a gridlock that will prohibit any significant laws from being passed, he said.
"Even if [Republicans] capture the House and Senate, in order to pass anything over Obama's veto, they have to pass with two-thirds in each chamber," Wood said. "They will be unable to get that two-thirds majority and can't swing enough Democratic support for their bills to fight the veto."
Nevertheless, Wood said, this midterm election could be a sign of more to come for the Republican Party.
"This could be the new standard for a wave of Republican support," he said.
Read More
U.Va. researchers identify that HIV drugs can protect against Alzheimer’s disease
By Lauren Seeliger | 2 days agoDoctor Jayakrishna Ambati and his research team have begun work on a new drug called K9 which could treat and prevent Alzheimer’s.
Graduating students share their future plans as they enter the job market
By Nina Broderick | 3 days agoMany students find the Career Center to be a valuable tool during the job search and application process.
U.Va.’s Finals Weekend spotlights the achievement and service of the Class of 2025
By Leigh Bailey | 5 days agoIn University President Jim Ryan’s welcome address, he acknowledged the support of family members and friends present in the audience and beyond that played supportive roles in these graduates’ lives.
