The blue wave that has swept across America in the midterm elections has many Americans feeling hopeful for the future.
The Democrats gained control of the Senate with 54 seats to 44. And the House of Representatives with 247 to 143 seats. The party also secured 28 Democrat governor seats, compared with 20 for the Republicans.
Several red states flipped blue in a signal of a weakening MAGA movement. The Republican party still held on in the West and some of the South.
However, despite historic victories in previously red states and several firsts for governor, senate and house candidates, Americans living in Scotland know that this isn’t enough. And that actual change has to come to make life easier for everyone.
Alabama is typically a red state with high levels of poverty and elected Republican Tommy Tuberville for Governor with 52.1% of the vote. He is known for his anti-Muslim and pro-Trump beliefs. Trump loyalist Barry Moore won the race for the Senate; defeating Everett Wess with 54.7% of the vote.
Although Alabama stuck with the Republican party, Alabama elected its first transgender state lawmaker Allison Montgomery. Her campaign focused on affordability for struggling Americans.
Kaitlyn is from Alabama is is studying in Stirling for a semester. She has hope for the future, but the results in her state were not what she hoped for.
“I’m pretty disappointed that, despite everything, Alabama continues to be too stubborn to understand a better option than Tommy Tuberville, who’s not even from Alabama; however, the fact that we as a state still managed to elect a trans woman means that all isn’t lost in our state and that we might have a progressive future after years of frustration.”
Kansas elected its first Democrat senator since 1932. Adam Hamilon, a former pastor hopes to lower costs for Americans by stopping tarriffs, supporting agriculture and making housing affordable for Kansans.
Cody is from Kansas and lives in Helensburgh with his girlfriend. He has a Master’s degree in Environmental Management from the University of Stirling.
He is a lifelong supporter of the Democrats and worked with Kansas Democrats during the 2018 midterms.
“Kansas is definitely a red state. However, there are some governors and representatives that will get elected because there are wee pockets of blue.
Overall, I am super happy for the state. It’s given me a lot of hope, however, people still need to be active participants in democracy. We still need to hold these people accountable for their daily actions. I know that Adam Hamilton comes from a nice background and he’s very genuine, but we still need to make sure that actual change is happening.
It’s really exciting. We have hopeful and optimistic times ahead. Hopefully the MAGA movement will be dead here soon.”
Evelyn, a computer science graduate from the University of Stirling now works in Edinburgh. She was born in Michigan but has lived in Virginia with her family for 15 years.
Michigan elected Abdul El-Sayed from the Democrat Party, making him the first Muslim senator in American history. He championed Medicare for all, lowering costs and holding corporations to account in his campaign.
Residents of Virginia have significantly struggled with inflation from the war in Iran and local AI data centres. Virginia is usually a blue state. Mark R. Warner from the Democrats won with his campaign to implement universal basic healthcare and expand high-speed internet in rural areas.
“I’m overjoyed, obviously, gaining control of both the house and the Senate is huge and will hopefully allow us to start fixing what’s been broken and then move towards actual forward progress. There’s still so much work to be done though. Virginia voted blue for the Senate but my district reelected our Republican representative which is really disheartening.
It’s hard to believe that so many people can’t see the damage that’s been done, not just internationally or nationally, but in our own local communities. I’m hopeful though that this will be the start of real positive change.”
Featured image credit – Eeath through a lens –
Third year journalism student. 2025/2026 Lifestyle and Comment Editor at Brig. Published in The Yucatán Times, Mi Campeche and The Mourning Paper. Host of From the 40s with Air3Radio.
