ASA Analysis of 2020 General Election

On Tuesday, November 3, the 2020 General Election resulted in unprecedented voter turnout. ASA has been monitoring these results and continues to track several races that have not yet been determined.

As of 10 a.m. ET on Friday, November 6, there have already been many notable results of importance to ASA members. ASA looks forward to continuing to advance the interests of the specialty with all of our newly-elected officials in the 117^th Congress. Below are some highlights, which will be updated as more election information becomes available.

Note:  Congress will be returning for a “lame duck” session in the weeks ahead.  All members of the 116^th Congress, even those defeated for reelection, remain as seated members until the 117^th Congress commences in January 2021.

PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION

The race for the White House is still too close to call.                                                                                                                 

HOUSE AND SENATE MAKEUP

In both the Senate and House of Representatives, there are many races still close to call.

In the Senate, The Republicans and Democrats are tied with 48 seats with 4 seats remaining as undetermined. Democrats gained seats in Arizona and Colorado while Republicans gained a seat in Alabama.

Currently in the House of Representatives, the Democrats have the majority with 208 seats, with Republicans holding a total of 193 seats. There are 33 seats still undetermined. Democrats gained seats in North Carolina while Republicans gained seats in Florida, Minnesota, New Mexico, Oklahoma, and South Carolina.

CONGRESSMAN ANDY HARRIS, MD

The first physician anesthesiologist elected to Congress, Representative Andy Harris, MD (R-MD-01) won his reelection with 67.1% of the vote. Congressman Harris has been a member of ASA and received ASAPAC support.

OTHER PHYSICIANS IN CONGRESS

In the 116^th Congress, there were 16 physicians and 4 dentists serving in Congress. ASA applauds the many physicians and dentists who will be serving in the 117^th Congress.

ASAPAC was proud to support several successful physicians and dentists running for Congress, including:

• Senator Bill Cassidy, MD (R-LA)
• Senator-elect Roger Marshall, MD (R-KS)
• Congressman Brian Babin, DDS (R-TX-36)
• Congressman Ami Bera, MD (D-CA-07)
• Congressman Larry Bucshon, MD (R-IN-08)
• Congressman Michael Burgess, MD (R-TX-26)
• Congressman Buddy Carter, BSPharm (R-GA-01)
• Congressman Neal Dunn, MD (R-FL-02)
• Congressman Drew Ferguson, DDS (R-GA-03)
• Congressman Paul Gosar, DDS (R-AZ-4)
• Congressman Mark Green, MD (R-TN-07)
• Congressman Andy Harris, MD (R-MD-01)
• Congressman John Joyce, MD (R-PA-13)
• Congressman Greg Murphy, MD (R-NC-03)
• Congressman Raul Ruiz, MD (D-CA-36)
• Congressman Mike Simpson, DMD (R-ID-02)
• Congressman Brad Wenstrup, DPM (R-OH-02)

ASAPAC-supported candidates Kim Schrier, MD (D-WA-08) and Jeff Van Drew, DDS (R-NJ-02) are in close races that have not yet been called.

We would also like to acknowledge ASAPAC-supported Senate candidate Barbara Bollier, MD (D-KS) and Congressional candidates Rich McCormick, MD (R-GA-07) and Cameron Webb, MD (D-VA-05) who were not successful in their bids.

PHYSICIAN ANESTHESIOLOGISTS ELECTED TO STATE OFFICE

This year, several physician anesthesiologists were state legislative candidates. Michelle Au, MD was elected to the Georgia Senate. Mark Steffen, MD was  elected to the Kansas Senate. Bryan Terry, MD was reelected to the Tennessee House of Representatives. Tom Oliverson, MD was reelected to the Texas House of Representatives. Sam Page, MD was reelected to his position as St. Louis County Executive.

Anesthesiologist assistant, George Hufstetler was reelected to the Georgia Senate.

Physician anesthesiologist Jody Leng, MD is also running for the Las Lomitas School Board in California. Her race has not yet been called.

GOVERNORS

This year, there were gubernatorial races in 11 states: Delaware, Indiana, Missouri, Montana, New Hampshire, North Carolina, North Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, and West Virginia. Prior to the 2020 general election, Democrats held governorships in 24 states while Republicans held governorships in 26 states. This election season, Democratic governors were successful in three states: Delaware, North Carolina, and Washington. And Republican governors were successful in eight states: Indiana, Missouri, Montana, New Hampshire, North Dakota, Utah, Vermont, and West Virginia. Looking ahead, 23 states will now have Democratic governors and 27 will have Republican governors. In Montana, after 16 years of Democratic governors leading the state, the governorship flipped to Republican.

LEGISLATURES

On November 3, 2020, 44 states held elections to determine their state level lawmakers which included races in 86 of the nation’s 99 legislative chambers.

Prior to the 2020 general election, Democrats controlled 39 chambers and Republicans controlled 59 chambers. While election results are still being finalized, Republicans are predicted to gain control over the split legislature in Minnesota by flipping the Senate and are likely to take majority control over both chambers in New Hampshire.

At the time this article was written, Arizona and Pennsylvania legislative election results had not been finalized, but both states’ legislatures are predicted to remain under Republican control.