Page 16 - HOSPITAAL

A4 U.S. NEWS
Thursday 1 November 2018

America’s gender, racial divides on display in House races

By LISA MASCARO nearby Glen Ellen said she’s
AP Congressional Corre- all for bringing more diver-
spondent sity to Congress. But as an
WASHINGTON (AP) — Per- employment recruiter, she
haps nowhere is the choice said she also wants the best
facing voters next Tuesday candidate for the job. And
more vividly on display than she said she appreciates
in the battle for control of what the president and the
the U.S. House. Democrats Republican Congress have
are fielding more women done for the economy, es-
and minority candidates pecially by passing tax cuts.
than ever, while Republi- “We really need people in
cans are trying to hold their the Congress who are go-
majority with mostly white ing to speak the best for
men. the people,” she said. Brat,
The disparity highlights a she said, “does what he
trend that has been ampli- says he’s going to do.”
fied under President Don- Down the road at a com-
ald Trump, with the two munity forum with Span-
parties increasingly polar- berger, optometrist Lisa
ized along gender and Bennett said she wants law-
racial lines as much as by makers who listen to voters.
issues. The result is that, in “American people are
an election season playing In this Dec. 20, 2017 file photo, President Donald Trump speaks during an event on the South Lawn frustrated,” she said, re-
out against the backdrop of the White House in Washington, to acknowledge the final passage of tax overhaul legislation calling the protesters who
of bomb threats, violence by Congress. confronted senators on
and a charged immigra- Associated Press Capitol Hill over Brett Ka-
tion debate, the parties are celebrated the passage of “There’s a relatively easy gain of 23 seats to win vanaugh’s confirmation to
presenting voters starkly dif- tax cuts with Trump at the explanation — the Repub- back the House in the the Supreme Court. “You
ferent pictures of American White House. lican Party over the past 20 election on Tuesday. En- shouldn’t have to stand in
leadership. Meanwhile, African-Amer- years has become the par- thusiasm has seemed to an elevator and yell at your
Democrats have nominat- ican, Latino and Asian- ty of white men,” he said. At be on their side, especially representative.”
ed more than 180 female American lawmakers make the same time, “Democrats in fundraising, but it’s un- The diversity gap between
candidates for the House, up almost half the House have come to be seen as clear if that energy will be the parties has been grow-
a new record. But while Democratic caucus. And the party of minorities.” enough to win districts that ing since the civil rights
voters could send more for the first time, less than Political scientists have swung to Trump in 2016 or battles of the 1960s, when
than 100 of them to victory, half the Democratic can- been debating whether have traditionally favored white voters shifted toward
Republicans could have didates for the House are Congress’ low approval Republicans. The outcome Republicans and the par-
fewer women than now in white men, and the Demo- rating — now 21 percent — could hinge on the suburbs, ty’s support from African-
their ranks next year due to crats are poised to send the has something to do with where Democrats are hop- Americans plummeted.
retirements and tough rac- first Native American and lawmakers not seeming ing that a voter backlash After conducting a poll
es, according to election Muslim-American women to reflect the country they against Trump and GOP of 72 competitive House
analysts. Overall, nearly 9 to the House. It’s what the represent, said Matt Bar- policies will help carry their districts, the Cook Politi-
in 10 House Republicans Reflective Democracy reto, a professor at UCLA candidates to victory. cal Report and LSU Man-
will be white men when the Campaign calls a “historic who is also a pollster work- One closely watched race ship School said this year’s
new Congress convenes in shift.” After Tuesday’s elec- ing to mobilize Latino voters is outside of Richmond, Vir- election “feels like 2010,
January. tion, it’s likely that 87 per- this cycle. Overall, while the ginia, where Republican in reverse.” Almost half of
The racial divide is even cent of Republicans in the House is closer to reflecting Rep. Dave Brat, a one-time Americans, 49 percent
starker. House Republi- House will be white men, the makeup of the country, tea party favorite, is fac- “feel frustrated” about
cans now count just over compared to just 37 per- which is still majority white, ing a stiff challenge from Trump’s presidency. That’s
a dozen minority members, cent for Democrats, said the representation is lop- political newcomer Abigail the same share who said
a number that’s not ex- David Wasserman, who sided between the parties. Spanberger, a former CIA they felt frustrated about
pected to change much analyzes races for the Cook “Everyone wants a repre- operative. President Barack Obama
after the election. The lack Political Report. sentative from their com- Brat was campaigning during that year’s midterm
of minorities in the confer- Marc Hetherington, a pro- munity to stand up for their over the weekend at the elections, when Democrats
ence comes into sharp fessor of political science issues,” Barreto said. For the Innsbrook Pumpkin Paloo- lost the majority in a wave
visual focus when House at the University of North House, he said, “It’s the en- za, pausing to watch a election fueled by con-
Republicans gather in a Carolina at Chapel Hill, tire point: They’re represen- pumpkin catapult as he servative newcomers ea-
large group, as they did said the trend began long tatives.” mingled with voters. Trump ger to confront the White
last December when they before this year’s election. Democrats need a net supporter Jen Dodge from House.q