The 2024 presidential race came to a definitive end in the early hours of Nov. 6, as Donald Trump reclaimed the White House, scoring victories across critical swing states. The Associated Press confirmed his path to victory with a projected win in Wisconsin, giving him the necessary 270 electoral votes to secure his place as the nation’s 47th president. As the night unfolded, Republicans also gained control of the Senate, while control of the House remains uncertain. Voters turned out in droves, deciding not only the future occupant of the Oval Office but also casting ballots on key issues such as abortion and marijuana legalization.
During his victory speech from Florida, Trump called his win a “tremendous honor” and thanked the American people for trusting him with another term. He celebrated the night as a “historic comeback” and pointed out that he may have captured the popular vote—a feat Republicans haven’t achieved in two decades. With this victory, Trump becomes the first president since Grover Cleveland to hold two nonconsecutive terms. In the run-up to Election Day, polls showed an evenly divided race, and both campaigns poured substantial resources into states like Michigan, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin. But, despite the hard push from the opposition, Trump managed to claim all three key states, repeating and even widening his support from 2016.
Turnout in this election has been among the highest on record. Officials in several battleground states noted that voter enthusiasm seemed to match or even surpass the record levels of 2020. In Georgia, for instance, officials projected over 5 million ballots would be cast—topping previous records. Michigan echoed similar turnout projections, with its secretary of state expressing pride over the engagement levels seen this year, and Pennsylvania appeared to be closing in on 2020’s turnout figures as well.
The night also underscored a shift in voting trends, with Trump making headway among Latino voters nationwide. In battlegrounds such as Michigan, Pennsylvania, and Nevada, his performance among Latino voters improved by around 10 points over 2020. Exit polling revealed that 45 percent of Latino voters cast their ballots for Trump, a significant increase from the last election cycle. In Nevada, a state where Latinos form a significant portion of the electorate, Trump and his rival split the Latino vote evenly at 47 percent each.
In a major win for Republicans, they regained control of the Senate after flipping two key seats in Ohio and West Virginia. The Ohio seat, held by a three-term Democratic incumbent, was captured by a Republican challenger, reflecting Ohio’s increasingly conservative tilt. In West Virginia, the open seat vacated by a retiring senator also turned red, with a popular Republican governor winning comfortably. With these victories, Republicans will hold significant influence over judicial and executive appointments when the Senate reconvenes in January.
While the Senate and presidency lean red, control of the House remains in play, as several crucial races are still too close to call. Early returns give Republicans an edge, with more than 198 seats projected in their favor so far. In his victory speech, Trump expressed optimism about his party’s chances in the House, stressing that a GOP majority would be key for enacting his legislative priorities. In battleground states like New York and Pennsylvania, both parties saw some victories. In New York, Democrats made gains in a few districts, while in Pennsylvania, Republicans appeared poised to unseat two Democratic incumbents.
Voters also weighed in on critical ballot measures, with 10 states addressing abortion rights in some form. Blue states like Maryland and Colorado passed amendments to enshrine abortion protections, while conservative South Dakota firmly rejected a similar measure. In Florida, a mixed political landscape, a pro-choice amendment fell short of the 60 percent needed for adoption, marking a win for pro-life advocates. Marijuana initiatives had a split showing: while Nebraska approved medical marijuana, Florida voters rejected recreational use, despite the state already allowing medicinal cannabis.
With a presidential win, Senate control, and the House up for grabs, Republicans are preparing to implement their agenda as they look ahead to the new Congress in January. Trump’s victory speech focused on his priorities for the next four years and his vision for conservative leadership in the nation’s capital. As election results settle in, this 2024 race has clearly reshaped the political landscape, setting the stage for the GOP’s plans in the coming term.
