[US Midterm Elections] "Democrats Expected to Win 14 Governor Seats, Republicans 16... Democratic Performance Strong"

At a viewing party for the midterm election vote count held in Boston, Massachusetts, Mora Healy, the Democratic candidate elected as governor of Massachusetts, is giving a victory speech celebrating her win. Healy became the first openly gay governor in the United States and the first female governor of Massachusetts. [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Donghoon Jung] In the U.S. midterm elections, despite expectations that the Republican Party would create a 'Red Wave' in gubernatorial races, the Democratic Party is also projected to perform well.

CNN reported on the 9th (local time) at 2 a.m. that out of 36 gubernatorial races, the Democratic Party is predicted to win 14, and the Republican Party 16.

The Democrats have defended 12 states currently governed by Democratic governors, including Maine, New York, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Pennsylvania, Michigan, Wisconsin, Illinois, Minnesota, Colorado, New Mexico, and California, and have reclaimed Massachusetts and Maryland, which had Republican governors.

In Massachusetts, Maura Healey, the state's Attorney General, was elected governor. She is openly lesbian, marking the first time in U.S. history that a member of the LGBTQ+ community has become a governor.

In Maryland, Wes Moore, a Rhodes Scholar and Afghanistan war veteran with no prior political experience, was elected, becoming Maryland's first Black governor.

On the other hand, the Republican Party secured 16 states currently governed by Republican governors, including New Hampshire, Vermont, Ohio, South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, Florida, Tennessee, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Texas, Iowa, South Dakota, Nebraska, Wyoming, and Idaho. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, who is also mentioned as a potential Republican presidential candidate, secured re-election.

In Arkansas, Republican candidate Sarah Huckabee Sanders, who served as White House Press Secretary during former President Donald Trump's administration, became the state's first female governor.

Although there were expectations of a 'Red Wave' sweeping through Democratic strongholds such as Illinois and New York, the actual voting results differed. Democratic gubernatorial candidates won by large margins in all these states.

Meanwhile, in six states?Kansas, Arizona, Nevada, Oregon, Alaska, and Hawaii?the vote counting has not progressed enough to determine the winners.