The Democrats secured a sweeping victory in the 2023 United States gubernatorial and state legislative elections this November.

From Mississippi's gubernatorial race highlighting welfare scandals to Kentucky's resounding support for Andy Beshear despite traditional GOP leanings, the Democratic triumphs emphasized key issues like Medicaid expansion and abortion rights.

In the Mississippi governor race, Democrat Brandon Presley ran against incumbent Republican Gov. Tate Reeves.

Presley aimed to expand Medicaid and highlighted a welfare scandal associated with Reeves in his campaign.

In the Kentucky governor race, incumbent Democrat Andy Beshear was up against Republican Daniel Cameron, with the former successfully highlighting abortion as a central issue in his campaign against Cameron.

Despite Kentucky's tendency towards the GOP, Beshear secured re-election, showing that the former President Donald Trump's endorsement of Cameron was not able to sway the results.

Ohio's ballot measure on abortion which guarantees abortion rights, marked a significant win for Democrats, reflecting the persistent importance of the abortion debate in America.

The measure passed, affirming "an individual right to one's own reproductive medical treatment," which encompasses not only abortion, but also contraception, fertility treatment, and miscarriage care.

In Virginia’s votes for legislative control, the battle for control of both chambers in Richmond, VA, was crucial as it served as a national test for both parties on abortion.

Governor Glenn Youngkin's ambitions to tighten abortion restrictions in Virginia faced a setback as Democrats maintained control of the state legislature.

Youngkin, who is considered a rising star in Republican politics, experienced multiple blows on election night, potentially dampening hopes of challenging Donald Trump in the future.

What makes this race significant is the fact that the state's Supreme Court has been a key arbiter of abortion limits.

For Pennsylvania's Supreme Court open seat elections, Pennsylvania voted on an open seat on its Supreme Court, which wouldn't shift the court's current balance but might influence future compositions.

For other ballot measures and races, Texans voted on raising the mandatory retirement age of state judges; Ohio also voted to legalize recreational marijuana; Uvalde, Texas, held a mayoral race, a city marked by a tragic shooting.

School board races across the country were also noteworthy, especially in states such as Virginia, Pennsylvania, and Minnesota.

The Democratic focus on abortion rights played a significant role in these wins, with voters rejecting more restrictive measures.

These successes might alleviate some pressure on President Joe Biden, whose approval ratings have faced scrutiny.

These outcomes once again underscore the challenges faced by Republicans in navigating the influence of Trump within the Republican party.

Additionally, this year’s elections showcased several candidates making records and breaking barriers.

Gabe Amo became Rhode Island's first Black member of Congress, winning a special election.

Cherelle Parker secured victory as the city's first female mayor in Philadelphia .

Yusef Salaam, who was wrongfully accused as a member of the Central Park Five in 1989, won a seat on the New York City Council.

As the US Supreme Court rescinded the nationwide right to abortion last year, state-level battles have gained prominence, suggesting that abortion remains a potent factor influencing voter decisions.

One key factor that will heavily influence the 2024 election is the public's perception of Joe Biden and Donald Trump.

Joe Biden, who is facing skepticism about his job performance and concerns over his age, needs to leverage recent wins to strengthen his standing within the party and among voters.

While Trump himself wasn't directly involved in the races, the outcome will inevitably shape his influence within the GOP and impact potential contenders for the party's nomination in 2024.

For Democrats, the challenge is not only to maintain the momentum generated by these recent wins but also to bridge the existing gaps within their own party.

The internal dynamics between progressive and moderate factions could affect the party's unity and its ability to present a cohesive front in 2024.

Additionally, issues such as economic recovery, healthcare, and climate change, which were pivotal in shaping the narrative during the state elections, will likely continue to be focal points in the 2024 presidential race.

The recent successes in last week’s set of elections place the Democrats in a favorable position, but the question lies in whether these wins would translate into broader support for Joe Biden in 2024.

Christian Lee

Year 13

Dulwich College Seoul