Closing summary
It was election day for off-year races nationwide, and Democrats triumphed in major contests. In Kentucky, Democratic governor Andy Beshear won re-election in what is otherwise a red state, while in neighboring Ohio, voters approved a constitutional amendment protecting abortion access. We are still awaiting the results of races for all 140 seats in the Virginia general assembly, but Democrats appear on course to maintain their majority in the senate, denying Republican governor Glenn Youngkin the majority he needs to pass his agenda – including a ban on abortions after 15 weeks of pregnancy. Another race yet to be called is in Mississippi, where Republican governor Tate Reeves is standing for a second term against Democrat Brandon Presley.
Here’s what else happened today:
The US House is moving forward with a resolution to censure the progressive Democrat Rashida Tlaib over comments criticizing Israel and supporting the Palestinian cause. In a speech, Tlaib said she would continue calling for a ceasefire in the ongoing invasion of Gaza.
David Weiss, the special counsel investigating Hunter Biden, defended his independence in an unusual behind-closed-doors appearance before the Republican-controlled House judiciary committee.
Iowa’s Republican governor, Kim Reynolds, endorsed her Florida counterpart, Ron DeSantis, for president, saying she does not think Donald Trump can win next year.
Hakeem Jeffries, the top Democrat in the House, decried “ad hominem attacks against colleagues” – a veiled reference to the controversy over Tlaib’s remarks.
In Ohio, the story of a 10-year-old rape victim who had to travel out of the state to seek an abortion continued to resonate with voters.
Updated
Ohio voters approve protecting abortion rights in state constitution
Voters in Ohio have approved a constitutional amendment that will protect abortion access in the state, the Associated Press reports, despite the Republican-dominated legislature’s has attempts to curtail the procedure since Roe v Wade was overturned last year.
The victory of Issue 1 in Ohio was the latest instance of voters in a red state deciding to maintain access to abortion, following similar elections last year in Kentucky and Kansas, as well as a host of Democratic-leaning states.
