Washington voters react to record number of women elected, other midterm results
Posted November 7, 2018 9:44 am.
Last Updated November 7, 2018 10:02 am.
This article is more than 5 years old.
BELLINGHAM, Wa. (NEWS 1130) – While people living in Washington state await some of the results of the midterm elections, many are already weighing in on the results that have come in.
Wednesday morning, the big take away was that the House of Representatives swung to the Democrat side for the first time in eight years. There are also a record number of women elected to the U.S. Congress — both of these facts sitting well with some locals in Bellingham.
“I’m excited to see this new perspective and kind of bringing some new ideas to the game,” one woman tells NEWS 1130. “Seems like they’ve been kind of stuck in a rut for a while, so I’m just excited to see some new possibilities there.”
Others echo the sentiment, saying they’re thrilled with the result.
“I think women are upset and I think that they’re doing something about it. It makes me really happy,” another person adds.
Washington state’s two senators are both women, and Democrat Maria Cantwell was reelected.
“I heard there were, like, 230 on the ballot, which is still crazy. That much representation is also phenomenal. I’m really glad to see all of that happening. It’s great.”
The candidates included 237 women in total; among the winners were the youngest woman ever elected to Congress, as well as several others who broke racial or other barriers.
Other major points in Washington state include a new ballot initiative, which is likely to pass, that would tighten up gun control measures.
Some people NEWS 1130 has spoken to are a bit more guarded when it comes to the gun initiative, which would limit the sale of semi-automatic rifles.
There are no polls or voting days in Washington state, since it is a mail-in state.
Trudeau congratulates candidates on midterm results
Meantime, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says he is looking forward to working with the U.S. Congress.
“Congratulating all the candidates who stepped forward in the U.S. midterms, and highlight the historic number of women who were elected in yesterday’s elections. That’s obviously good news.”
The prime minister says one of the first issues they’ll have to deal with is the new trade deal between Canada, the U.S., and Mexico — the USMCA.
Trudeau’s first cabinet was made up of an equal amount of men and women.
