Donald Trump secures the U.S. Presidential election

Donald Trump won the 2024 U.S. Presidential election in the early hours of Wednesday morning, making him the 45th president and the 47th too, according to the Associated Press.

As of 9 a.m., President Trump won 277 Electoral College votes, surpassing the 270 votes needed for victory. Vice President Kamala Harris had received 224. 

Seven highly contested swing states were involved: Michigan, Wisconsin, Pennsylvania, Nevada, Arizona, North Carolina and Georgia. The four battleground states that have been called all swung red. However, Michigan, Nevada and Arizona – while leaning red – have not yet been called as of Wednesday morning.

The Harris campaign was still enthusiastic on Tuesday evening as votes were still being counted. 

“We still have votes to count. We still have states that have not been called yet. We will continue overnight to try to make sure that every vote is counted, that every voice has spoken,” Cedric Richmond, Harris’ campaign co-chair, told supporters at Howard University.

According to NBC Washington, Harris is expected to address her supporters today.

For TCU students, the presidential election results have caused mixed feelings.

For Abigail, policy surrounding women’s health care and public education stood at the forefront of her voting decision.

“There’s been so much discussion and debate about women’s health care and our right to medical autonomy. I am a product of public education and have family members who have dedicated their careers to the field,” Abigail, a junior at TCU, said. “This election felt very personal to myself and so many.”

“The results of this election have left me with a lot of uncertainty,” Abigail said. “The work continues, but it has definitely shifted, and I think a lot of people are looking for where we go from here.”

In contrast, other students find relief in the presidential election results. “I’m pleased that Trump has been elected as the 47th president of the United States. Having him in office makes me feel more secure/positive about the next four years, especially since I’m graduating when he is taking office,” Seldin, a senior TCU finance major, said.

“President Trump’s economic goals align heavily with my views. Also, I feel that given his background and achievements in the past term, such as the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act show how he prioritizes the state of the US economy,” Seldin said. 

The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act was signed into law under the Trump administration in 2017.

“The new tax law makes substantial changes to the rates and bases of both the individual and corporate income taxes, most prominently cutting the maximum corporate income tax rate to 21%, redesigning international tax rules, and providing a deduction for pass-through income,” according to Brookings Institution.

“To add on, the Democratic Party over the last four years has been subpar on all accounts,” Seldin said. “Kamala was part of that administration, so there is nothing she can say that would lead me to believe she is the right person to lead America for the next four years.”

Republicans retake control of the U.S. Senate 

For the first time in four years, Republicans have regained control of the U.S. Senate, according to AP News.

U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz won reelection after defeating Colin Allred, the Democratic candidate, for one of Texas’ seats in the Senate.

“Tonight, I called Sen. Cruz and congratulated him on his victory,” Allred said at an election night watch party in Dallas, Texas, according to the Texas Tribune. “It shouldn’t be remarkable to have to admit defeat, but in today’s politics, it’s becoming rarer and rarer.” 

Republicans are hoping to maintain their majority in the U.S. House; however, there are still seats that have yet to be called, according to AP News.

Republican state Rep. Craig Goldman wins U.S. Congress TX-12 seat 

Republican state Rep. Craig Goldman has been elected to Congress, defeating Democratic nominee Trey Hunt. This secures his position in the race to succeed U.S. Rep. Kay Granger for the Texas’ 12th District seat, which represents the western half of Tarrant County and most of Parker County. 

Last year, Granger announced that she would not be seeking reelection this year. “As I announce my decision to not seek reelection, I am encouraged by the next generation of leaders in my district,” Granger said in a statement. “It’s time for the next generation to step up and take the mantle and be a strong and fierce representative for the people.”

The issues at the forefront of Goldman’s campaign were border security, fighting the fentanyl crisis, gun rights and more, according to his campaign site.