About Last Night: Here's What Else Happened While You Were Watching Trump vs. Clinton
While the world reacts to the shocking Donald Trump presidential victory, many have forgotten about the down-ticket races and state propositions that could potentially have an even greater impact on many Americans' day-to-day life.
Some are good, some are bad, but they will all play a role in how we live from this day forward. Here's what you missed while you were watching the main event:
The Senate Quadrupled It's Number of Women of Color
The White House was going get a whole lot whiter regardless of the outcome last night, but luckily some added color will be added to the United States Senate as Catherine Cortez Mastro defeated Republican Joe Heck in Nevada to become the first Latina senator in U.S. history.
Additionally, Kamala Harris becamse the first Indian-American senator when she won in Califronia. Harris was born to an Indian mother and a Jamaican-American father, and on top of being the first Indian-American senator, is now the second Black woman to hold the office as well.
Finally Tammy Duckworth defeated Mike Kirk to become senator for Illinois. Duckworth is the first Asian American woman elected to Congress in Illinois, the first disabled woman to be elected to the U.S. House of Representatives, and the first member of Congress born in Thailand.
The House Elected Three Badass Women
A bright spot occured during the rather depressing night in the House as well. Stephanie Murphy became the first Vietnamese-American to serve in Congress.
Ilhan Omar, a former refugee became the first Somali-American Muslim female legislatior when she won her election to represent Minneapolis' Distrcit 60B.
Pramila Jayapal became the first Indian-American woman to hold a seat in the U.S. House of Representatives.
We have our first openly-LGBT Governor
Women of color and other minority groups were elected into positions of power last night as well. Kate Brown became the first openly LGBT governor when she won her election in Oregon.
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five states increased Minimum Wage
An increase in minimum wage was on the ballot in 5 states. Arizona, Colorado, Maine, and Washington all voted to support a minimum wage increase, while South Dakota voted against the increase.
it was a pretty good night for gun control
The 2nd Amendment may have helped Trump win the presidential election, but it seems clear that many Americans still believe in greater contol. California, Nevada, and Washington all voted to either increase necessary background checks for gun purchase, or prevent individual gun access. Maine, on the other hand, voted against greater restrictions.
One state repealed the death penalty
California had an opportunity to make changes to their state's death penalty laws and made good in it, voting to repeal the death penalty.
Nebraska and Oklahoma voted in support of the death penalty, as Nebraska reinstated the practice, and Oklahoma approved its constitutional protections.
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Florida did one thing right
While much of the country is sneering in the general direction of Florida once again, the state did do one thing right when they voted to reject a bill that said power customers who don't install solar panels can't be required to subsidize customers who do. Environmentalists called the result a win.
It's Getting Harder to Be a Smoker
Following suit of states like New York and Massachusettes, California voted to approve an increased taxation on tobacco and tobacco products, including smoke-free vaporizers.
Way More People Can Legally Get High
Who doesn't want to roll a blunt right now? Weed is gaining legality across the states as well, with legalization passing in 8 out of 9 states, most notably California.
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