On the morning of Nov. 6, former President Donald J. Trump was announced to have won the 2024 Presidential Election against Vice President Kamala Harris.
VOTES
Trump won both the popular vote and the electoral college. He secured 312 electoral college votes while Kamala Harris secured 226.
The key to Trump’s win was his acquisition of all of the battleground states; Arizona, Georgia, Michigan, Nevada, North Carolina, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin.
LEGISLATION
The election has shifted the presence of both parties in legislation significantly. The Republican party now has the majority in both The House of Representatives and the Senate.
The House of Representatives is now made of 212 Republicans and 200 Democrats while the Senate has 53 Republicans and 46 Democrats.
27 of the 50 states also have a Republican governor, while the other 23 states have Democratic governors.
TRUMP’S VICTORY SPEECH
Trump gave his victory speech on Wednesday, Nov. 6 in Florida. He expressed his gratitude to his followers while also promising that the country will be fixed and will heal.
He dedicated the victory to the American people and sought to encourage them in the midst of the natural disasters in the United States occurring, such as Hurricane Helene. He vowed to always put America first.
HARRIS’ CONCESSION SPEECH
Kamala gave her concession speech Wednesday afternoon on Nov. 6 at Howard University in Washington DC.
She urged her followers to continue fighting for democracy, while also promising to partake in a peaceful transfer of power between the Biden and Trump administrations in January. She encouraged her supporters not to despair, but to continue pushing forward and focus on the future.
Her speech highlighted the importance of freedom, justice and courage.
CONCLUDING THOUGHTS
Biola’s Political Science department held an election watch party at Fireside Pavilion on Tuesday, Nov. 5.
Students came and went, some in political science and others not. Many expressed their worries about the outcome of the election on either end, whether it be increased regulations or the potential loss of rights.
Yet, in the midst of these emotions, Biola created a community where we can sit with each other in our worries and our joys.
Wednesday morning’s Compelled chapel highlighted in a student survey how they felt about the election result on a scale from one to five, one being devastated and five being elated.
Of the sample survey, 19 students (7%) reported one. 18 students (6.7%) reported two. 55 students (20.4%) reported three. 61 students (22.5%) reported four. Finally, 117 students (43.2%) reported five.
Students were asked how many people in their lives would feel differently about the election on a scale from one to five, one being none and five being most.
22 students (8.1%) reported one. 70 students (28%) reported two. 87 students (32.1%) reported three. 62 students (22.6%) reported four. Finally 24 students (8.3%) reported five.
In the midst of the election results, it is important to recognize that not everyone feels the same way we feel. While we may be elated by the results, others might feel downcast.
No matter how we feel about the results of the election, God is still sovereign and in control of the universe. We lift our eyes toward Him and recognize that we live in an imperfect world, but serve a perfect God.
May we as Christians continue to live in this truth, trusting in Him and his ways.
