Democrats, abortion rights win big in off-year state elections
Republicans won Mississippi's governor race but few other big contests on Tuesday, and abortion opponents lost big in Ohio
"Democrats had plenty of good news to celebrate in Tuesday's off-year election and more evidence that they can win races centered on the national debate over abortion," The Associated Press reported.
Kyle Klondike at the nonpartisan University of Virginia's Sabato Crystal Ball group said he and other political prognosticators were watching six races on Tuesday — gubernatorial races in Kentucky and Mississippi, control of the Virginia House and Senate, the constitutional amendment enshrining abortion rights in Ohio and a Pennsylvania Supreme Court race — and Democrats won everything but the Mississippi race, where incumbent Gov. Tate Reeves (R) held off a strong challenge from Democrat Brandon Presley.
In Kentucky, Gov. Andy Beshear (D) won reelection over GOP challenger Daniel Cameron, the Donald Trump–endorsed state attorney general. Beshear had heavily criticized Cameron's hardline abortion views, including in one memorable ad featuring a woman who became pregnant when she was raped by her stepfather at age 12.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Ohio voters amended their constitution to protect an individual's right to "make and carry out one's own reproductive decisions" up to the point of fetal viability, and even then if a doctor determines the "life or health" of the woman is at risk. Ohio is now the seventh state where voters have chosen to protect abortion access after the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade in 2022. Voters in the state rejected a GOP measure in August that would have made it more difficult to pass this amendment. Ohio voters also approved legalizing recreational marijuana for people 21 and over.
In Virginia, where Gov. Glenn Youngkin (R) had campaigned heavily to flip the State Senate to Republican control, Democrats kept the Senate and won the Virginia House of Delegates, giving them full control of the legislature for the final two years of Youngkin's term. New Jersey voters expanded the Democrats' legislative majority. Voters in Pennsylvania elevated Superior Court Judge Dan McCaffery to the state Supreme Court, filling an empty seat and restoring the Democrats' 5-2 majority. McCaffery, who beat Republican judge Carolyn Carluccio, had campaigned as a defender of abortion rights.
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Peter has worked as a news and culture writer and editor at The Week since the site's launch in 2008. He covers politics, world affairs, religion and cultural currents. His journalism career began as a copy editor at a financial newswire and has included editorial positions at The New York Times Magazine, Facts on File, and Oregon State University.
-
Why is Bluey such a cultural phenomenon?
In the Spotlight Kids are obsessed — but parents get just as much out of the show, if not more
By Anya Jaremko-Greenwold, The Week US Published
-
Is it actually economical to fly basic economy?
The Explainer Airlines have placed so many restrictions on basic economy, you may wonder if it's even worth the savings anymore
By Becca Stanek, The Week US Published
-
So bad, so good: the best worst movies
The Week Recommends These films are as enjoyable as they are terrible
By Anya Jaremko-Greenwold, The Week US Published
-
'Horror stories of women having to carry nonviable fetuses'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Harold Maass, The Week US Published
-
India elections start amid violence, hate speech accusations
Talking Points Narendra Modi seeks a third term while critics worry about the future of the country's democracy
By Joel Mathis, The Week US Published
-
In what states is abortion legal, illegal, and in limbo?
In The Spotlight Where American states stand on abortion care
By Theara Coleman, The Week US Published
-
'Good riddance to the televised presidential debate'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Harold Maass, The Week US Published
-
'This isn't judicial restraint — it's judicial activism'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Harold Maass, The Week US Published
-
'For employers and their workers, welcome to a minefield'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Harold Maass, The Week US Published
-
India elections 2024: the logistics of world's biggest vote
The Explainer More than 10% of the world's population is registered for a historic democratic exercise, with PM Modi likely to dominate again
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
'Young kids simply shouldn't be on social media'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Harold Maass, The Week US Published