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The results of Alabama’s special Senate election were certified by officials, Thursday, naming Democrat Doug Jones the winner, despite a last-minute voter fraud lawsuit filed by Republican Roy Moore. Moore, who faced sexual misconduct allegations during the Senate race, said he will not concede the election even though it has been certified.
Following a long recount process and nearly two weeks after election day, Republican Governor Rick Scott declared victory in Florida’s Senate race. Results showed that Scott beat Democrat Senator Bill Nelson by just over 10,000 votes. Republicans accused Democrats of voter fraud and Democrats accused Republicans of voter suppression during the swing state race.
Democrats took control of the House of Representatives during Tuesday’s midterm elections while Republicans moved toward expanding their control of the Senate and flipped three seats. The midterms ended with a split verdict on Trump’s presidency as Democrats’ hopes for a ‘blue wave’ fell short. President Trump tweeted, ‘Tremendous success tonight’ despite GOP losing grip on House.
The race to decide who will represent Pennsylvania’s 18th Congressional District is close, with Democrat Conor Lamb having claimed victory, Tuesday night, and Republican Rick Saccone refusing to concede. Just a few hundred votes separate the candidates and absentee votes are being counted. The vote’s result could set the tone for November midterm elections.
The tie-breaker, first name drawn from a bowl, to determine the winner of Virginia’s House of Delegates has been delayed, after Democratic candidate, Shelly Simonds, filed a motion for the decision to allow a controversial vote to be reconsidered. Simonds argues the court failed to follow state election rules when the controversial vote was counted.
Following a machine review which showed Democratic Senator Bill Nelson falling just behind his Republican counterpart Governor Rick Scott, Florida’s Senate race will move to a hand recount. Republican Ron DeSantis appeared to beat Democrat Andrew Gillum to become Florida’s Governor. Officials will examine thousands of ballots which may not have been tallied correctly.
A three-judge panel declared, Wednesday, the Virginia election won by a single vote was actually a tie. The panel refused to certify the recount ending in Democrat, Shelly Simond’s victory, saying a questionable ballot should be counted in Republican, David Yancy’s favor. Under Virginia law, the winner of a tie is chosen ‘by lot.’
With US midterm elections to take place on Tuesday, Democrats hold a lead over Republicans in generic ballots among likely voters. President Trump encouraged Republican voters, calling the party’s energy ‘really incredible.’ Race-baiting allegations have been made leading up to the elections including a Trump television ad and automated calls in Florida and Georgia.
Alabama Republican Senator, Richard Shelby, commented against GOP candidate, Roy Moore, just two days before the Alabama election, in a televised interview, Sunday, saying, ‘I couldn’t vote for Roy Moore.’ Moore has been accused of sexual misconduct in his 30s, allegations which he denies. Support is building for the Democratic candidate, Doug Jones, in Alabama’s special Senate election.
On Sunday, Emmanuel Macron was sworn in as the new President of France. He beat his extreme far right opponent Le Pen. Not forgetting the one-third that voted for his opponent, he stated that French men and women who feel forgotten by this vast movement will need to be better protected. On Sunday Macron tried to inject optimism into the people of France, who feel so disillusioned by the establishment that in the first round of voting, nearly half of voters voted for parties that would politically blow up the nation. Ferrand, the secretary general of Macrons party, said Thursday that the party has not yet named all of its candidates because it is trying to leave the door open to candidates from the center-right political establishment who might want to switch allegiances before the filing deadline next Wednesday.