Tennessee has not elected a Democrat to the Senate in 16 years, and yesterday’s midterm election was no exception.
Republican Bob Corker has succeeded Bill Frist in the Senate and held on to that seat for the Republicans.
Corker’s win draws the heated election to a close. The race for the coveted Senate seat was surrounded by controversial ad campaigns used by the Republican and Democratic national committees.
Corker responded to the controversial ads by calling them “tacky” and requesting that they be taken off the air.
“I believe that if more college students had voted the outcome would have been different and Ford would have won,” said Spanish major Parker Hayes. “This is why college students need to vote – their votes count. Young people are the future.”
Some students admitted to voting more for the party than the candidates.
“I really wanted the Republicans to keep their control in the Senate. I saw my vote as a vote for the Republicans in the Senate and not as a vote for Bob Corker,” said Ben Sledge, freshman.
“I voted for Corker because I support my party. I think Ford would have been a better candidate for Tennessee, but I don’t agree with Ford for the more important issues. I didn’t vote for Corker, I voted against Ford,” said Michael Chaudron, 19.
Outside of Tennessee, the midterm elections were not a complete loss for Democrats. They took the majority in the House of Representatives for the first time in 12 years. In the House, the Democrats gained 32 seats, while the GOP lost 31, according to MSNBC. The remaining seat was held by an independent. The party won races in states such as Ohio and Colorado, considered significant for the 2008 presidential race.
Late Wednesday, national media reported that the Democrats also took control of the Senate. The GOP lost six seats, the Democrats gained five, according to USA Today. The two independents elected are expected to caucus with Democrats, giving them a 51-48 majority.
“It’s about time this whole conservative movement is over,” Hayes said.
“Democrats intend to lead the most honest, the most open and the most ethical Congress in history,” U.S. Rep. Nancy Pelosi said. Pelosi, from California, will make history as the first female speaker of the House.
“I actually think it’s better when one party controls House and one controls Senate,” Chaudron said. “It’s better for the people if there’s some input and mediation from both sides.”
In Wisconsin, Gov. Jim Doyle became the first Democrat re-elected there in 32 years.
In Tennessee, Gov. Phil Bredesen was re-elected with 68 percent of the votes. Bredesen, in his victory speech, promised to, “focus on improving education and health care, creating jobs and protecting the environment,” and expressed his desire to be bipartisan.
Tennessee was one of the only states to hang onto its Senate Republican majority.
In Washington and Carter counties, Rusty Crowe, Republican, ran unopposed. However, there was one popular write-in for the election: Dr. David Burgin.
Commenting on Crowe’s unopposed campaign, Sledge said, “This lack of choice is a disservice to the people of Tennessee.”
The controversial state Amendment One, the “Marriage Protection Act,” was passed with 80 percent of voters selecting “yes” to ban gay marriage in Tennessee.
The Marriage Protection Act confirms what the Tennessee constitution already states: that marriage is between one man and one woman. The amendment protects the state constitution from court challenge.
“I’m not surprised,” Hayes said, “but I’m sad that it (Marriage Protection Act) was passed because I don’t think the general public should vote on what people do with their personal lives.”
Chaudron said, “I agree with it. I think marriage should be between one man and one woman.”
Seven other states included gay marriage referendums as part of their voting ballots. Voters approved the Marriage Protection Act in these states as well. They are: Idaho, South Carolina, South Dakota, Arizona, Colorado, Virginia and Wisconsin.
The second amendment was also approved. Of the votes reported, 83 percent of voters approved of the property tax freeze for citizens over 65.

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