The elections on Tuesday, November 3 brought notable changes to the political landscape at the national level of government.
At the time of writing, the presidential election results are unknown. Nevada, Pennsylvania, Georgia, North Carolina, Arizona and Alaska have yet to be called. Some news organizations have called Arizona for former Vice President Joe Biden. Alaska is expected to be won easily by President Trump. The remaining five states are considered to be very close. Votes are still being counted and numerous lawsuits in multiple states have been filed regarding vote counting methods. President Trump’s campaign has asked for recounts in Georgia and Wisconsin. Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger announced on Friday the state will conduct a recount due to close vote margins.
The House is expected to remain under Democrat control, although by a narrower margin. As of time of writing, no Republican incumbents have lost and Republicans have net gained six seats in the House. With 32 races still outstanding, the House balance of power is 208-195. Ten seats changed parties, with Republicans gaining seven seats from Democrats and one from an Independent. Democrats gained two seats from Republicans, both of which are in North Carolina.
Of particular importance, longtime House member and current Agriculture Committee chairman Rep. Collin Peterson (D, MN-7) lost in his reelection bid. Therefore, no matter the election results, the Agriculture Committee will have a new chairman. The next candidates in line for the chairmanship, in terms of seniority, are Reps. David Scott (D, GA-13) – a longtime leader on issues of importance to the broiler industry – Jim Costa (D, CA-16), who is currently the co-chair of the Congressional Chicken Caucus, Marcia Fudge (D, OH-11) and Bennie Thompson (D, MS-2).
Current House Agriculture Committee Ranking Member Rep. Michael Conaway (R, TX-11) retired, so the committee will also have a new ranking member assuming the House remains under Democrat control. Reps. Rick Crawford (R, AR-1), G.T. Thompson (R, PA-15) and Austin Scott (R, GA-8) are all seeking the ranking member position.
Additionally, current House Appropriations chair Rep. Nita Lowey (D, NY-17) retired. As a result, the committee will have a new chair in the 117th Congress. The most likely candidates include Reps. Rosa DeLauro (D, CT-3), Marcy Kaptur (D, OH-9) and Debbie Wasserman-Schultz (D, FL-23). Should Rep. DeLauro become the new committee chair, a change of leadership would take place on the Agriculture Appropriations subcommittee that Rep. DeLauro currently chairs.
It is expected that the Senate will remain under Republican control. If this is the case, it is widely expected that Sen. John Boozman (R-AR) will assume the chairmanship of the Senate Agriculture Committee. Sen. Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) will retain the Ranking Member position.
Senate Appropriations Committee Chairman Richard Shelby (R-AL) and Ranking Member Patrick Leahy (D-VT) were not up for reelection and will retain their positions.
Four Senate race results are still too soon to call: Sen. Dan Sullivan (R-AK), David Perdue (R-GA), Kelly Loeffler (R-GA) and Thom Tillis (R-NC). Senator Sullivan’s results are delayed due to statewide delays in Alaska’s vote counting and results reporting, but is heavily expected to remain in Republican control by a wide margin. Senator Loeffler defeated Senate hopeful and current congressman in Georgia’s 9th Congressional District Doug Collins in the Senate primary, but did not gain enough votes to avoid a runoff with Democrat Raphael Warnock, Jr. The runoff is scheduled for January 5, 2021. Senators Tillis and Perdue lead in their respective races, but votes are still coming in.
