Five things we’ve learnt so far from the US midterm elections
The US is voting in midterm elections billed by some as among the most important in history. Here are five things to emerge so far.
Encouraging start for the Democrats
In one of the first results to emerge Democrat Jennifer Wexton, who served as a senator, took Virginia’s 10th congressional district from Republican incumbent representative Barbara Comstock. Former president Barack Obama made a surprise appearance in Virginia the day before voting began to show support for the blue congressional hopeful.
First flip of the night: @JenniferWexton defeats Barbara Comstock in Virginia’s 10th district! Swing Left volunteers knocked on more than 140,000 doors and made 35,000 phone calls in this race and raised over $130,000. pic.twitter.com/KFP4NDOgMn
— Swing Left (@swingleft) November 7, 2018
History made early on?
According to reports Democratic candidate Rashida Tlaib has become the first Muslim woman to be elected to Congress. She is said to have been comfortably installed as representative of Michigan’s 13th District, which was held by Democrat John Conyers until his resignation earlier this year over sexual harassment allegations.
🚨 Race call: Michigan Democrat Rashida Tlaib has won #MI13, becoming the first Muslim woman ever elected to Congresshttps://t.co/nB6yeY4y45
— BuzzFeed News (@BuzzFeedNews) November 7, 2018
Queuing patiently could make all the difference
Voters were urged to stay in their queues amid reports of technical malfunctions with machines leading to long lines at polling stations in several states. Former presidential candidate Hillary Clinton said it was still possible to cast a ballot if they were in line when stations closed.
Remember, Georgia: If you’re in line when the polls close at 7pm, you can still cast a ballot—so stay in line and vote! While the GOP has been trying to make this election about anything but the future you want for your families, you are on the verge of making history.
— Hillary Clinton (@HillaryClinton) November 6, 2018
Death row to democracy
A former death row inmate who spent 30 years behind bars for a crime he did not commit cast his vote on Tuesday. Anthony Ray Hinton was wrongfully convicted of murdering two fast food workers in Alabama in 1985 before being freed in 2015.
For 30 years, Mr. Hinton was stripped of all his rights while he sat on Alabama death row for a crime he didn’t commit. Today, he arrived at the polls at 7am and exercised his right to vote. pic.twitter.com/ObYX2luiP4
— Equal Justice Initiative (@eji_org) November 7, 2018
All quiet from Donald Trump – for now
The famously Twitter-happy president is yet to comment on the first results of the night. On his final day of campaigning Mr Trump declared: “Everything we have achieved is at stake.”
