A year before next year’s crucial midterms regarding the United States’ Senate and House, all eyes were on the special election going on in Alabama. With Senator Jeff Sessions leaving his seat for a position with Donald Trump’s cabinet, a special election would be on the cards. Eventually the general election was contested between Democrat Doug Jones and Republican Roy Moore.
The election cycle gained more heat when the Washington Post published a story regarding allegations of Republican Roy Moore initiating sexual contact with underaged women in 1979 (the ages ranged from 14 - 18). Since this story was published on November 9th, this story was at the center of the special election. The effects were far reaching and it eventually tipped Donald Trump to back Roy Moore against Doug Jones.
Eventually the story proved to be a big reason to why Roy Moore lost the election, in combination with his past comments regarding his disagreement with the amendments abolishing slavery and giving women the right to vote. This led to a huge turnout from minority groups (especially with the African American population), that voted in numbers similar to that when Barack Obama had been running in his presidential elections.
With Doug Jones’ victory, the new Senate makeup is currently 51 Republicans to 49 Democrats. For the latter party, this means a Democratic majority is in play regarding the 2018 midterm elections. For the Republicans, this is a warning sign regarding the legitimacy of their candidates. The traditional Republican wing led by the likes of Mitch Mcconnell are at odds with the more “nationalist” wing led by Donald Trump and Steve Bannon. In any case, the results of this election will put many on notice regarding next year’s elections.
Michael Skok
Political Editor
KATALOG FIRM W INTERNECIE
