2014 United States midterm elections

{{Uspolitics}}{{bronze}}
The '''2014 midterm elections''' were a series of local, state, and federal elections held in the [[United States]] on 4 November 2014. These included elections for [[United States Congress|all 435 members of the US House of Representatives, 36 US Senators]], 39 state and territorial governorships, and the majority of state legislative seats.

The 2014 midterms have been widely described as a “red wave” on account of the major losses of the [[Democratic Party]]. Notably, Republicans won 13 more seats, giving them their largest majority since the 1920s. Republicans also had success in the Senate, where Democrats were defending the majority of the seats up for election. Republicans gained their majority by flipping 9 Democratic-held seats.

Like always with midterm elections, most people saw the 2014 midterms as something of a referendum on the  presidency of [[Barack Obama]] who at the time was in his second term. As was seen with the 2010 midterms elections, the GOP made gains, flipping 13 house seats to gain their largest majority since the [[Great Depression]] began. They also gained a Senate majority for the first time since before the 2006 midterms.

This election was notable in many ways. Republicans had their largest House majority since 1929, they gained the most Senate seats since 1980, Democrats had control of fewest state legislatures since 1860,<ref>[https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-elections-states-idUSKBN0IP2HB20141105 Republicans gain big in state legislative elections], ''Reuters'', November 5, 2014</ref> and it also had the lowest voter turnout since 1942, with just 36% of eligible Americans voting.<ref>[https://www.pbs.org/newshour/politics/2014-midterm-election-turnout-lowest-in-70-years 2014 midterm election turnout lowest in 70 years], ''PBS News'', November 10, 2014</ref>

==US House results==
[[File:US House 2014.svg|thumb|2014 House elections. Dark is gain, light is holds.]]
Republicans flipped 16 Democrat-held seats in the US House of Representatives, while Democrats only won three Republican-held seats. This put them into a 247-188 majority, their biggest since after the 1928 elections.<ref>[https://www.politico.com/magazine/story/2014/11/1928-congress-last-time-republicans-had-a-majority-this-huge-112913/ What Happened the Last Time Republicans Had a Majority This Huge?], ''PoliticoMagazine'', November 15, 2014</ref> Examples of notable flips include:
*'''[[Illinois]]''' - Both the 10th and 12th districts flipped to the GOP.<ref>[http://redlineproject.org/election201410thdistrictdold.php 10th District U.S. Rep.: Dold Wins Back Seat He Lost 2 Years Ago], ''The Red Line Project'', November 4, 2014</ref><ref>[https://www.stltoday.com/news/local/govt-and-politics/republican-bost-defeats-incumbent-enyart-in-southern-illinois-congressional-race/article_fd1d27c6-0ba6-5bd1-96a0-8ac2b09308fa.html Republican Bost defeats incumbent Enyart in Southern Illinois congressional race], ''St. Louis Post Dispatch'', November 4, 2014</ref> The 10th is very Democrat and in the [[Chicago]] area, and like the governorship, flipped in a fluke, reverted in the next election cycle.<ref>[https://wgntv.com/news/politics/democrat-brad-schneider-defeats-gop-us-rep-bob-dold-in-rematch/ Democrat Brad Schneider defeats GOP US Rep. Bob Dold in rematch], ''WGN9'', November 8, 2016</ref> The 12th is based in south Illinois and is Republican to this day.<ref>[https://apnews.com/article/elections-mike-bost-illinois-ead771ae43d44ffd8c62d66801c6d380 Republican Mike Bost wins reelection to U.S. House in Illinois’ 12th Congressional District], ''Associated Press'', November 3, 2020</ref>
*'''[[New England]]''' - Republicans picked up New Hampshire's 1st and Maine's 2nd districts,<ref>[https://bangordailynews.com/2014/11/05/news/poliquin-defeats-cain-in-2nd-district-race/ Poliquin wins 2nd District race, Cain concedes], ''Bangor Daily News'', November 5, 2014</ref> both reverted in 2016<ref>[https://www.rollcall.com/2016/11/09/shea-porter-returns-to-congress-defeats-guinta-in-new-hampshires-1st-district/ Shea-Porter Returns to Congress, Defeats Guinta in New Hampshire’s 1st District], ''Roll Call'', November 9, 2016</ref> and 2018.<ref>[https://www.rollcall.com/2018/11/15/maines-bruce-poliquin-loses-in-ranked-choice-voting/ Maine’s Bruce Poliquin Loses in Ranked-Choice Voting], ''Roll Call'', November 15, 2018</ref> However, this set groundwork to allow the district to become more Republican in the future Maine's 2nd district would vote for [[Donald Trump]] in both 2016 and 2020.<ref>[https://www.boston.com/news/politics/2016/11/09/divided-state-maine-splits-electoral-votes-for-first-time/ Divided state: Maine splits electoral votes for first time], ''Boston.com'', November 9, 2016</ref><ref>[https://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/524507-trump-wins-electoral-vote-in-maines-2nd-congressional-district Trump wins electoral vote in Maine's 2nd Congressional District], ''The Hill'', November 4, 2020</ref> This would be the only New England district to vote red, as the rest of New England is pretty solid blue.
*'''[[New York]]''' - The 1st,<ref>[https://www.newsday.com/long-island/lee-zeldin-defeats-tim-bishop-kathleen-rice-wins-over-bruce-blakeman-for-congress-1.9585683 Lee Zeldin defeats Tim Bishop, Kathleen Rice wins over Bruce Blakeman for Congress], ''Newsday'', November 5, 2014</ref> 21st,<ref>[https://www.businessinsider.com/elise-stefanik-wins-youngest-member-of-congress-2014-11 This 30-Year-Old Rising GOP Star Just Made History], ''Business Insider'', November 5, 2014</ref> and 24th<ref>[https://www.wrvo.org/elections/2014-11-05/katko-easily-defeats-maffei-to-win-24th-congressional-district Katko easily defeats Maffei to win 24th Congressional District], ''WVRO'', November 5, 2014</ref> district flipped, the 1st being the eastern edge, the 21st representing the northern front of the state, and the 24th being the Syracuse area. The representative of the 1st district, Lee Zeldin, retired in 2022 to run for governor of New York.<ref>[https://abc7ny.com/lee-zeldin-shirley-long-island-new-york-governor/10497447/ Rep. Lee Zeldin announces he's running for governor of New York, says 'Cuomo's got to go'], ''ABC 7'', April 8, 2014</ref> The 24th leans Democrat, but the representative, John Katko, is still in office. The representative in the 21st, Elise Stefanik, is also the chair of the Republican conference after Liz Cheney was ousted, mainly because Stefanik was more pro-Trump then Cheney, as Cheney certified the election and wanted to impeach Trump, while Stefanik voted to acquit Trump and to object to the Pennsylvania results.<ref>[https://www.npr.org/2021/05/14/996540840/new-yorks-elise-stefanik-installed-as-new-gop-conference-chair New York's Elise Stefanik Replaces Cheney In Republican Leadership Spot], ''NPR'', May 14, 2021</ref>

==US Senate results==
[[File:2014 United States Senate elections results map.svg|thumb|2014 US Senate results. Dark is gains and light is holds.]]
Democrats lost the Senate that the Democrats had gained back in 2006.<ref>[https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/elections/republicans-rule-house-senate-first-time-8-years-n241126 Republicans Rule House and Senate for First Time in 8 Years], ''NBC News'', November 4, 2014</ref> Despite having a powerful 55-45 advantage, Republicans came back from their landslide defeat in 2008 and gained 9 seats. This put them in a 54-46 advantage, and they also lost zero seats of the 15 they had up.<ref>[http://www.allgov.com/news/top-stories/senate-opens-with-54-46-republican-majority-despite-republicans-winning-fewer-votes-than-democrats-150106?news=855289 Senate Opens with 54-46 Republican Majority despite Republicans Winning Fewer Votes than Democrats], ''AllGov'', January 6, 2015</ref> They picked up [[Alaska]], [[North Carolina]], [[Colorado]] (which got reverted in 2020), [[Montana]], [[South Dakota]], [[Iowa]], [[West Virginia]], [[Arkansas]] and [[Louisiana]].{{efn|The Louisiana pickup occured after a runoff in December.<ref>[https://www.denverpost.com/2014/12/06/gop-bolsters-senate-majority-with-win-in-louisiana-runoff/ GOP bolsters Senate majority with win in Louisiana runoff], ''The Denver Post'', December 6, 2014</ref>}}<ref>[https://www.cnn.com/2014/11/04/politics/election-day-story/index.html Republicans seize Senate, gaining full control of Congress], ''CNN'', November 5, 2014</ref><ref>[https://www.salon.com/2014/11/12/gop_notches_another_senate_pick_up/ GOP notches another Senate pickup], ''Salon'', November 12, 2014</ref>This was the largest gain for them since Reagan's Revolution in 1980; even the 1994 Republican Revolution was only +8 seats for the GOP. The Republicans would never get stronger from this point. 

Many people say that because the Democrats lost the Senate in this election, it caused them to lose the Supreme Court for a generation, as Obama's nominations were blocked by the Senate, and Trump could pick 3 judges without opposition during his presidency.<ref>[https://www.vox.com/policy-and-politics/2018/6/26/17506054/anthony-kennedy-retirement-supreme-court Democrats sat out the 2014 midterms and lost the Supreme Court for a generation], ''Vox'', June 27, 2018</ref> It's also notable because, for the first time in over 130 years, Arkansas had two Republicans.<ref>[https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-elections-arkansas-senate/republican-tom-cotton-wins-u-s-senate-seat-in-arkansas-idUSKBN0IP04R20141105 Republican Tom Cotton wins U.S. Senate seat in Arkansas], ''Reuters'', November 4, 2014</ref> While trending Republicans for decades before this, it took until very recently for them to fully conquer Arkansas.

==Governors’ results==
[[File:2014 United States gubernatorial elections results map.svg|thumb|2014 US gubernatorial results.Dark is gains, light is holds. Grey is an independent gain who leans democrat and had the democrat endorsement.]]
In addition to holding three governors’ races in swing states (Wisconsin, Michigan, and Florida), the Republicans flipped 4 Republican-held governorships in the following states:
* Illinois—Though otherwise a blue state, Illinois governor actually flipped, breaking the Democrats trifecta. This is due to the fact that, as seen in 2010, Illinois is very prone to wave years.<ref>[https://depauliaonline.com/5473/focus/seeing-red-how-bruce-rauner-won-illinois-2/ Seeing red: How Bruce Rauner won Illinois], ''The DePaulia'', November 9, 2014</ref> However, in the [[2018 midterm elections]], Democrats picked it back up.<ref>[https://www.concordmonitor.com/Democrats-make-gains-in-governor-seats-around-the-country-21387911 Democrats flip at least six governor seats around the country], ''Concord Monitor'', November 7, 2018</ref>
* Maryland-One of the most solid blue states, Larry Hogan narrowly got elected governor,<ref>[https://www.politico.com/story/2014/11/larry-hogan-maryland-governor-112681 How Larry Hogan won in Maryland], ''Politico'', November 7, 2014</ref> breaking 60 years of Democratic control in the state (due to supermajorities, Democrats held control from 2003-2007), and cottailed many Republicans to the House, narrowing it up to 91-49, Democrat.
* Massachusetts-This very blue state has a long history of Republican governors including [[Mitt Romney]] and {{wpl|Bill Weld}}, although Democrat supermajorities overturned many vetoes, and the governership flipped in 2006, but the GOP picked it back up in 2014, as the incumbent retired.<ref>[https://www.masslive.com/politics/2014/11/republican_charlie_baker_defea.html Republican Charlie Baker defeats Democrat Martha Coakley to win Massachusetts governor's race], ''MassLive'', November 5, 2014</ref>
* Arkansas-Republicans gained a trifecta for the first time since Reconstruction as they flipped the seat from a term limited governor, whilst maintaining the legislature. This was very impressive in such a deep South state, and marked a political realignment.

Republicans did have numerous setbacks though. An incumbent was defeated in the critical swing state of [[Pennsylvania]], by nearly ten points, which is nearly five points more than what Mitt Romney lost by in 2012.<ref>[https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/elections/nbc-news-projects-pas-corbett-ousted-democrat-tom-wolf-n241396 NBC News Projects: PA's Corbett Ousted by Democrat Tom Wolf], ''NBC News'', November 4, 2014</ref> This was, however, due to his extreme unpopularity. <ref>[https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2013/11/why-pennsylvania-hates-its-governor/355550/ Why Is Pennsylvania's Governor So Incredibly Unpopular?], ''The Atlantic'', November 26, 2013</ref> This made him the first incumbent in Pennsylvania to lose re-election since Pennsylvania allowed governors to serve 2 consecutive terms.<ref>[https://www.lehighvalleylive.com/elections/2014/11/pennsylvania_gov_tom_corbett_l.html Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Corbett loses to Democratic challenger Tom Wolf], ''Lehigh Valley Live'', November 5, 2014</ref> Also in [[Alaska]], a left leaning independent, Bill Walker, beat the incumbent due to poor approval ratings.<ref>[https://www.latimes.com/nation/politics/politicsnow/la-pn-unity-ticket-defeats-alaska-republican-governor-20141114-story.html Unity ticket defeats Alaska GOP Gov. Sean Parnell in drawn-out race], ''Los Angeles Times'', November 14, 2014</ref> They also failed to flip [[Fun:Colorado|Colorado]],<ref>[https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-election-colorado/colorados-democratic-governor-wins-tight-re-election-victory-idUSKBN0IP26A20141106 Colorado's Democratic governor wins tight re-election victory], ''Reuters'', November 5, 2014</ref> and [[Fun:Minnesota|Minnesota]].<ref>[https://minnesota.cbslocal.com/2014/11/04/mark-dayton-winner-of-mn-gov-race/ Minnesota Democratic Gov. Dayton Wins Second Term], ''CBS Minnesota'', November 4, 2014</ref> However, [[Fun:Vermont|Vermont]] remained undecided as no candidate reached 50%, so it was chosen by the legislature to be a Democrat in a 110-69 vote.<ref>[https://www.burlingtonfreepress.com/story/news/politics/2015/01/08/vermont-legislature-vote/21394309/ Shumlin defeats Milne in Legislature governor vote], ''Burlington Free Press'', January 7, 2015</ref> That would flip in 2016, as Republican Phil Scott won the open seat as the incumbent retired.<ref>[https://www.usnews.com/news/politics/articles/2021-08-23/how-republican-gov-phil-scott-won-over-blue-vermont Blue, But Bipartisan: Can Vermont Be a Model for the Rest of the U.S.?], ''U.S. News'', August 23, 2021</ref>

This election is also notable because Iowa governor Terry Branstad became the longest served governor in history after this, winning his 6th term.<ref name=ketvomaha>[https://www.ketv.com/article/branstad-elected-to-6th-term-as-iowa-governor/7648993# Branstad elected to 6th term as Iowa governor], ''KETV Omaha'', November 4, 2014</ref>

==Other results==
In addition to House, Senate, and governors’ races, Republicans achieved success in:
* '''State legislatures'''—Both branches of the [[Fun:Nevada|Nevada]] legislature flipped, giving Republicans full control.<ref>[https://lasvegassun.com/news/2016/nov/07/controlling-nevada-which-party-runs-the-state-and/ Controlling Nevada: Which party runs the state? And for how long?], ''Las Vegas Sun'', November 7, 2016</ref> However, in 2016, Democrats would flip back both branches. They also picked up the Minnesota House of Representatives,<ref>[https://www.mprnews.org/story/2014/11/05/how-the-gop-took-the-minnesota-house How the GOP took the Minnesota House], ''MPRNEWS'', November 5, 2014</ref> the New Hampshire House of Representatives (ending a Democratic trifecta), the New Mexico House of Representatives,<ref>[https://www.abqjournal.com/491495/control-of-70-seat-new-mexico-house-hangs-in-balance.html GOP wins control of NM House], ''Albuquerque Journal'', November 4, 2014</ref> the West Virginia House of Delegates (ending a trifecta), the Colorado Senate,<ref>[https://www.denverpost.com/2014/11/08/gop-win-colorado-senate-democrats-vow-to-hold-party-accountable/ GOP win Colorado Senate, Democrats vow to hold party accountable], ''The Denver Post'', November 8, 2014</ref> the New York Senate<ref>[https://www.nytimes.com/2014/11/05/nyregion/with-early-results-republicans-hover-close-to-control-of-new-york-senate.html In Rebuke to Democrats, Voters Return Control of New York Senate to G.O.P.], ''New York Times'', November 5, 2014</ref> and the Maine Senate. They also flipped West Virginia's Senate following a senator switching parties.<ref>[https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/govbeat/wp/2014/11/05/party-switch-gives-republicans-control-of-west-virginia-senate/ Party switch gives Republicans control of West Virginia Senate], ''Washington Post'', November 5, 2014</ref>

All of this resulted in nearly half of Americans living under Republican trifectas after the elections.<ref>[https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/the-fix/wp/2014/11/11/nearly-half-of-americans-now-live-in-states-under-total-gop-control/ Nearly half of Americans will now live in states under total GOP control], ''Washington Post'', November 11, 2014</ref>

== Controversy ==
In June 2013, the Supreme Court invalidated a big part of the Voting Rights Act, so states no longer had to clear voting laws with the federal government.<ref>[https://www.nytimes.com/2013/06/26/us/supreme-court-ruling.html Supreme Court Invalidates Key Part of Voting Rights Act], ''New York Times'', June 25, 2013</ref> Twenty-two states put in voting restrictions, and while a lot of them were sued, this gave courts a big power in who could vote.<ref>[https://www.brennancenter.org/our-work/research-reports/state-voting-2014 The State of Voting in 2014], ''Brennan Center for Justice''</ref>. These laws range from photo ID requirements to early voting cutbacks to voter registration restrictions. In addition to that, Connecticut State Representative Christina Ayala and California State Senator Roderick Wright were both arrested for [[voter fraud]].<ref>[https://www.nhregister.com/connecticut/article/Bridgeport-State-Rep-Christina-Ayala-arrested-on-11364225.php Bridgeport State Rep. Christina Ayala arrested on 19 voting fraud charges], ''New Haven Register'', September 26, 2014</ref><ref>[https://www.wsj.com/articles/california-state-sen-roderick-wright-gets-90-days-in-jail-for-perjury-voter-fraud-1410556195 California State Sen. Roderick Wright Gets 90 Days in Jail], ''Wall Street Journal'', September 12, 2014</ref>

== Milestones ==
Several notable milestones came out of the elections. They include:
*Terry Benstrand, governor of Iowa, elected to his 6th term, becomes longest served governor in history.<ref name=ketvomaha/>
*Shelley Moore Capito becomes first female senator of West Virginia.<ref>[https://www.huffpost.com/entry/shelley-moore-capito-senate_n_6103700 Shelley Moore Capito First Woman Elected As West Virginia Senator], ''Huffington Post'', November 4, 2014</ref>
*Nellie Gorbea becomes first Hispanic elected to statewide office in New England, becoming Secretary of State of Rhode Island.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20141106182842/http://www.providencejournal.com/politics/content/20141104-gorbea-accepts-victory-in-r.i.-secretary-of-state-race-first-hispanic-in-n.e.-to-win-statewide-office.ece Gorbea accepts victory in R.I. secretary of state race, first Hispanic in N.E. to win statewide office], ''Karen Lee Ziner'', November 4, 2014</ref>
*Maura Healey of Massachusetts becomes first openly gay state attorney general.<ref>[https://www.huffpost.com/entry/maura-healey-attorney-general-massachusetts_n_6104314 Maura Healey Becomes First Openly Gay Attorney General In The Country], ''Huffington Post'', November 4, 2014</ref>
*[[Joni Ernst]] becomes first woman elected to statewide office in Iowa.<ref>[https://www.washingtonpost.com/video/politics/ernst-becomes-first-woman-elected-statewide-in-iowa/2014/11/05/4654c308-64a9-11e4-ab86-46000e1d0035_video.html Ernst becomes first woman elected statewide in Iowa ], ''Washington Post'', November 4, 2014</ref>
*Mia Love becomes first African-American Republican women in Congress, first Haitian-American in Congress and first African-American elected to Congress from Utah.<ref>[https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2014/nov/5/mia-love-makes-history-winning-house-seat-utah/ Mia Love makes history by winning House seat in Utah], ''Washington Times'', November 5, 2014</ref>
*Alex Mooney becomes first Hispanic elected to Congress from West Virginia.<ref>[https://www.nbcnews.com/news/latino/latinos-make-history-wv-ri-curbelo-defeats-garcia-fl-n241566 Latinos Make History In WV and RI, Curbelo Defeats Garcia in FL], ''NBC News'', November 4, 2014</ref>
*Perhaps most importantly, Tim Scott of South Carolina becomes the first African American elected to Congress from a former [[Confederate States of America|Confederate]] state since Reconstruction.<ref>[https://www.cnn.com/2014/11/04/politics/south-carolina-tim-scott-digital/index.html Scott first black senator elected in South since Reconstruction], ''CNN Politics'', November 5, 2014</ref>

== Notes ==
{{notelist}}
==References==
{{reflist|2|80%}}

[[Category:Elections]]

Categories: Elections