Democrats flip Congress; Massachusetts backs incumbents

22 News is your local election headquarters. The control has shifted locally and nationally following Tuesday's midterm elections and new party leadership will be taking the reins. 22 News reporter Aretha Odaya joins us live in studio to break down the highlights and what you might have missed. That's right, Ciara. One of those highlights. Let's start with the Democrats holding the majority of the House and the Senate. Many experts calling this a historic blue wave across the country. For the last two years of Donald Trump's time as president, the Democrats will have control of the House and the Senate, flipping more than two dozen Republican-held seats. This blue tsunami that happened across the country, and there's a plethora of reasons for that. You know, it just saw historic wins for Democrats in places like Kansas, where they hadn't won in almost 100 years. Here locally, Governor Maura Healey, Senator Ed Markey, both claiming victories pretty quickly after polls closed. Massachusetts, we've elected Republican governors many times before. The Healy campaign did a really effective job at branding him as MAGA Mike. Candidate Mike Minogue spent more to try to take the governor's office in Massachusetts than any candidate in the history of Massachusetts, and most of it was his own money. And Congressman Richard Neal also claiming his 20th term in Congress. Congressman Neal had probably his toughest primary challenge of his career. Candidate Jeremy Whelan came within eight points of Congressman Neal, which nobody had done before. Voters right now are just not willing to take a risk on someone like an independent in this climate. Auditor Diana DiZaglio, Attorney General Andrea Campbell, Secretary of State William Galvin, Treasurer Deb Goldberg, all winning their matchups. Massachusetts voters also asked... their say regarding the nine ballot questions. On question eight, voters decided to keep cannabis laws the same, maintaining its regulated sale. And for question nine, current gun restrictions will stay in place. So with more than one million Massachusetts voters casting ballots early and with more Gen Z voters, what contributed to this shift in party leadership all around the economy? People are really struggling to afford everyday items. Unpopular foreign policy. We see Trump's war with Iran is very unpopular and also unpopular immigration policies. So for now, until January, when new leaders are sworn in, Republicans will continue to legislate while they have the majority. And 22 News has a breakdown not only of the results from last night's races, but also the nine state ballot questions up on our website at WWLP. Working for you, Loretta O'Dea, 22 News.