President Barack Obama won a second term last night after a tight race in many of the key swing states. In his victory speech he reminded America of the goals that were still on his agenda: immigration reform, climate change, and job creation.
Though Democrats picked up two seats in the U.S. Senate, Republicans maintained the majority in the House of Representatives, meaning that little has changed in the capital.
Obama narrowly won states in the Midwest that Romney desperately needed to win like Ohio, Iowa, and Wisconsin. Obama also captured Virginia, collecting at least 303 electoral votes to secure the win.
Combined with the loss of Romney’s native state Michigan, his current home state of Massachusetts, and Wisconsin, birthplace of his running mate Paul Ryan, the GOP party became the first to lose both candidates’ home states since the 1972 election.
The popular vote remained close, though Obama had a decisive advantage in the Electoral College. Obama led Romney only approximately 50% to Romney’s 48%, a margin of around 2.5 million votes.
Shortly after the announcement of his victory, Obama sent a message via Twitter: “We’re all in this together. That’s how we campaigned, and that’s who we are.”
The nation’s first African-American president will take his oath of office for a second time on January 20th.
In his concession speech Romney said “this is a time of great challenge for our nation…I pray that the President will be successful in guiding our nation.” He also warned politicians against partisan quarreling of both parties and to “put the people before the politics.”
Obama congratulated his opponent on a race well fought and said “In the weeks ahead I am looking forward to sitting down with Governor Romney to discuss how we can move this country forward.”
Sources: NY Daily News, ABC News, Huffington Post
