The 2018 Midterm Election results were promising for America no matter what side of the aisle you stand. The election made history with high voter turn-out. Members of the LGBT community took office, as well as women and representatives of varying ethnic and religious backgrounds took office for the first time. With Democrats taking control of the House of Representatives, there is hope that needed legislation could be brought to the forefront that otherwise may not be addressed under current administration. There is much ground we still need to cover, but there is hope.

America made history in the 2018 Mid-Terms:

• 113 million Americans voted, equating to 48% of the eligible voting population casting their ballot November 6th. America has not seen such high turn-out at the Midterms in nearly 50 years.
• Colorado elected the first openly gay man as governor. Oregon re-elected an openly bisexual woman as governor who was originally elected in 2016.
• Kansas elected the first Native American woman to congress who is also Kansas’ first openly gay representative. New Mexico also elected their first Native American woman to congress.
• Tennessee elected their first female senator to office by a close margin.
• Texas elected two Hispanic congresswomen for the first time.
• North Dakota elected their first female governor.
• Maine elected their first female governor.
• Guam elected their first female governor
• Connecticut for the first time elected an African American woman to Congress.
• Massachusetts also elected an African American woman to Congress for the first time.
• Iowa elected their first female representatives to the House of Representatives.
• Michigan elected the first Muslim woman to Congress along with Minnesota electing a Muslim Palestinian-American congresswoman.
• New York elected the youngest congresswoman ever at 29 years old.

Nearly a century ago, woman did not have the right to vote, let alone take political office. With many women taking the highest office in their states, it is a clear sign America is evolving and appreciating women equally as their male counterparts.  Not only was the gender barrier broken in many states, but religious, sexual orientation and barriers in ethnic were broken as well.

A Democrat controlled house essentially ushers in a more equal system. It is also promising in regards to healthcare and wages.

The Affordable Care Act is flatly insufficient.  Many Americans still go without health insurance  and basic care. Citizens utilizing The Affordable Care Act also do not have access to vision or dental coverage.  President Trump has also allowed states to make exceptions for what is provided under the federal Affordable Care Act legislation. Prescription drugs are also prohibitively expensive for many that need them the most. The freshly elected plan on pushing aggressive legislation to help curb the cost of pharmaceuticals. Also, with a Democrat controlled house, there is hope for legislation to open the door for vision and dental coverage to Obamacare subscribers as well as expanding coverage as a whole.

The current federal minimum wage is $7.25/hour, which is approximately $15,000 a year. For the vast majority of Americans, this is not enough to make a living necessitating many to work multiple jobs. Democrats have promised to raise the minimum wage- proposing an increase to $15/hr.  Democrats also want to propose paid leave for families for medical reasons.  America is currently the only major world power that does not offer such paid leave.

The Midterm Election results demonstrate a move for progressive change. The diversity that makes up the U.S. is more represented and recognized. Also, there is opportunity for growth in the areas of healthcare and wage earnings for citizens.  Let us hope the promise for change of this win comes through.