Donald J. Trump decisively won the presidential election Nov. 5, surprising many who had expected a much closer contest.
Trump joins Grover Cleveland as only the second chief executive to win non-consecutive presidential terms.
“Congratulations to Donald J. Trump on being elected the 47th president of the United States,” wrote Franklin Graham in a Facebook post. “I pray that you will look to God every day for His guidance and wisdom.”
The victory was also noted by world leaders, with some sending well wishes.
“Congratulations on history’s greatest comeback!” Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu wrote on X. “Your historic return to the White House offers a new beginning for America and a powerful recommitment to the great alliance between Israel and America. This is a huge victory!”
In his victory speech, Trump, who survived an assassin’s bullet by less than an inch and saw another such attempt foiled, said: “God spared my life for a reason. … The task before us will not be easy, but I will bring every ounce of energy, spirit and fight that I have in my soul to the job that you’ve entrusted to me.”
The election was bolstered by a surprising slew of victories in northern battleground states such as Michigan, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin, and farther south in both North Carolina and Georgia.
Some of Trump’s most vigorous support came from evangelical Christians, with exit polling showing 81% support, according to NBC News. And a Fox News report said voters who attended worship at least weekly voted for him by a 64% to 34% margin. According to the Washington Post, Harris won 62% of voters who “never” attend church.
Congress
Republicans regained control of the Senate, flipping a seat held by a Democrat-turned-Independent in West Virginia and Democrats in Ohio and Montana. As of Nov. 6, Republicans looked to gain at least a 4-seat Senate majority.
Observers say a Republican majority in the Senate means a greater likelihood of passing bills that protect the sanctity of human life and fight against radical gender ideology. Judicial appointments will also pass more easily, with judges joining the bench who likely will adhere to the text of the Constitution rather than to progressive policies.
In the House, Republicans secured critical flips from swing states including Pennsylvania and Michigan, while Republican incumbents won re-election across the country. “The latest data and trends indicate that when all the votes are tabulated, Republicans will have held our majority, even though we faced a map with 18 Biden-won seats,” said Speaker Mike Johnson.
At press time, the Associated Press projected House Republicans to have won 198 seats to Democrats’ 177. Of the 435 House races nationwide, the first party to win 218 takes the majority.
As of Nov. 6, a significant number of outstanding races were in California, where Republicans were fighting to retain several seats that were critical to them winning the majority in 2022.
Sanctity of Human Life
Several states had abortion-related ballot measures, with predictably mixed results. Florida and South Dakota rejected measures to make abortion a constitutional right, and Nebraska voters chose to keep the state’s 12-week abortion ban rather than allow abortion up to viability.
But seven other states—Arizona, Colorado, Maryland, Missouri, Montana, Nevada and New York—chose to enshrine abortion into their state constitutions.
Pro-life supporters expressed optimism, however. “President Trump says he wants to end federal involvement with abortion, and we can do that,” Kristan Hawkins, president of Students for Life Action, told The Washington Stand. “[W]e need to defund Planned Parenthood. As long as federal money supports abortion vendors and pays for abortion at home and around the world, abortion is federal. This includes reaffirming life-saving policies such as Mexico City, which can be signed into effect on Day One.”
The Mexico City Policy requires that, in order to receive U.S. family planning funds, foreign NGOs must not perform or promote abortion.
Drug Legalization
In three states, voters rejected ballot measures to legalize or regulate marijuana for recreational use. In Florida, although more than half the voters backed a measure that would have legalized marijuana for adults ages 21 and up, the vote fell short of the 60% threshold needed for passage. The state already permits medical use of marijuana.
Initiatives to legalize recreational marijuana in South Dakota and North Dakota also failed. Medical marijuana is already legal in both states. In Nebraska, voters approved measures 437 and 438, which would legalize and regulate medical marijuana. But those results remain in flux because of court challenges.
In Massachusetts, voters rejected a ballot measure that would have legalized the possession and supervised use of natural psychedelics, including psilocybin mushrooms, to people 21 and older.
Addressing the election result and what it could mean for public policy, Tony Perkins, president of the Family Research Council, reminded fellow believers on X: “Election 2024 must not be the finish line for Christians in America; I pray it is a starting point. It’s time for the church to arise. Our hurting nation needs a revival that only God can provide.” ©2024 BGEA
Photo: Evan Vucci / ©2024 AP