Telephone calls, television commercials, canvassers, bumper stickers, and heated political debates took over in some parts of our country once again this November for off year elections. From Detroit to Virginia, small election results will change the way states are run.

  In Virginia, Democrat Terry McAuliffe beat state’s Republican Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli with the help of the predominantly blue Washington suburbs. McAuliffe exposed the Tea Party candidate as an extremist with absolutist policies in regards to same-sex marriage, abortion, taxes, and health care, while Cuccinelli focused on explaining the differences between them and labeled McAuliffe as a hefty spender with no “clear, positive vision for Virginia”. McAuliffe had more support from his own party and more women supporters than Cuccinelli.

   The divide in the state was very clear and social issues seemed to take a big role in the decision making process for most. “Personally I am conservative, and a major part of McAuliffe’s campaign was attacking Ken Cuccinelli’s stance on abortion and I am against abortion; that’s a main reason I supported Cuccinelli and would have voted for him if I could. So overall I am not satisfied with the election results,” said junior Jack Buse.

  Fighting for secession of Cuccinelli’s position as Attorney General, Democrat Sen. Mark R. Herring lead Republican Sen. Mark D. Obenshain by only one percent of the vote.

 In New Jersey, Republican Governor Chris Christie won reelection against Democratic challenger Barbara Buono. The popular Republican governor dominated in money, airtime, and polls and is a good bet to run in the 2016 general election for President. His mainstream outreach has established that Republicans may swing future elections and can take some predominantly Democratic areas.

  In New York, Democrat Bill De Blasio was elected mayor, promising to undo most of what previous mayor Michael Bloomberg accomplished. He is the first Democrat to be elected since 1989 and vows to narrow the gap between the rich and poor, while reforming controversial policing tactics.

  In Detroit, former Medical Chief Mike Duggan became the first white mayor elected since 1974. He faces the city’s $20 billion bankruptcy and will have little power until the tenure of an emergency city manager ends.

  According to The Wall Street Journal, the recent government shutdown caused unemployment rates to rise from 7.2% to 7.3%. Many blame the Republicans for gridlock and political analysts argue that the effects of the shutdown influenced voter choice.

 Senior Max Doten agrees, “It was a ridiculous move on the part of the Republicans. It was basically career suicide.”

 Buse disagrees, “I wouldn’t say the shutdown affected election results because most of the political ads and campaigns did not focus on that specific event.”

 While most of us are still forming our political opinions, those who already have cannot wait until they can finally take part in the decision making process for our state and country.