The midterm elections for Congress in the United States serve as an informal referendum for whoever is currently in the White House. This is especially true for Donald Trump, who is waiting with bated breath to see what message Americans will send him—that is, whether they will reward or reject his policies.
“With your vote, you will decide whether these extremists will take power or not. Or whether we will keep America strong. This is America’s golden age.”
Donald Trump
ΣΧΕΤΙΚΑ ΑΡΘΡΑ
The major issue at stake in the election is control of the two legislative chambers of Congress—the House of Representatives and the Senate—which the President currently holds by a narrow margin.
Let’s take a look at the current balance of power.
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In the 435-seat House of Representatives, Republicans hold 218 seats and Democrats 214. Here, ALL seats will be up for election.
The situation is different in the Senate, where terms last six years and one-third of the seats will be up for election. In other words, 35 of the 100 Senators will be elected. And this is exactly where the tough political maneuvering will take place, as the Reds currently hold a majority in the Senate with 53 seats, compared to the Blues with 45, who, however, have the two independent Senators on their side.
The statistics show that the House—barring any surprises—will go to the Democrats, who are also favored in the polls for the Senate, where, however, the battle will be fought down to the wire.
“For some reason, the incumbent president doesn’t win midterm elections. But we gave this one a very strong shot.”
Donald Trump
The Paradoxes
If Trump loses one or both chambers of Congress, then things will get difficult, as he’ll see his influence wane and will very likely face tough congressional scrutiny—and even… impeachment.
And in an effort to avoid this nightmare, he has once again pulled the so-called “Trump Dividend” out of his campaign hat, promising thousands of dollars as a gift to every American citizen.
“If we win the election, everyone will get $5,000. Every adult will get $5,000. But you have to spend it in the United States of America.”
Donald Trump
Despite the uncertainty surrounding this election, one thing is certain. That New Hampshire’s Senate seat will be won by a Greek American, as the race is between Chris Pappas, the Greek-American Democratic candidate, and John Sununu, the 62-year-old Republican candidate, who also has Greek roots.
“I stand on the shoulders of my ancestors, who came to this country to build a life. They started a small business over 100 years ago. They came from Thessaly and Macedonia in the early 1900s. I believe these elections will restore American democracy.”
Chris Pappas – Democratic Senate Candidate
Among the oddities of the race is the commotion caused in Alaska by the two candidates with the same name, who are running against the Democrat, Mary Peltola.
One is Republican Senator Dan Sullivan, who is seeking a third term. The other Dan Sullivan is a retired teacher running as an independent. This has driven Trump up the wall, as he sees the hand of his opponents behind it.
“The Democrats conspired to put a fake Dan Sullivan on the ballot… to confuse voters and pit him against the real Dan Sullivan. This is corruption. It’s really a scam, a rigged election.”
Donald Trump
It’s also unprecedented that there is no Democratic candidate for the Senate in Nebraska, while in South Texas the Democrats have recruited a star to run for the House. Bobby Pulido, a two-time Latin Grammy winner.
Polling stations in the 50 states opened gradually starting at noon and will close gradually from 1 a.m. until 8 a.m. tomorrow, Cyprus time.
Watch Yiannis Xenophontos’s report:
