In the know; Who won what

By Annah Johnson

After four long days of vote counting, Joseph R. Biden and Kamala Harris are projected to be the 46th President and 49th Vice President of the United States of America. Harris’ position is a groundbreaking moment in the history of our country as she will be the first woman and woman of color to be Vice President.

Major decision-making states, including Pennsylvania, Nevada, Georgia, and Arizona, have been on the radar for the past four days. These states were key in deciding which candidate would tip over the 270 electoral votes. The results from Pennsylvania, with 20 electoral votes, gave Biden the number of electoral votes to make him President-elect by midday on Nov. 7.

“America, I’m honored that you have chosen me to lead our great country,” Biden tweeted shortly after the results were announced. “The work ahead of us will be hard, but I promise you this: I will be a President for all Americans – whether you voted for me or not. I will keep the faith that you have placed in me.”

Governor Gretchen Whitmer congratulated the President-elect and Vice President-elect but used her congratulatory statement to remind the public that we are still currently fighting the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Now, with the election behind us, it is time for the American people to unite against our common enemy: COVID-19,” Whitmer said in a press release. “This virus has ravaged our country, infecting over 200,000 Michiganders and killing over 7,500. Our hospitalizations and deaths are on the rise, and we are recording a record number of cases each day in Michigan and across the country. It is all of our responsibility to do everything in our power to protect our families, frontline workers, and small businesses.”

Michigan, a major swing state, was expected to take a significantly long time to count votes, but results came quickly on Nov 4. Almost 24 hours after polls closed on Tuesday night the last ballots in Michigan were counted and reported. 

Grand Rapids has continued to make a national impact in elections, as Kent county was one of the major components of flipping Michigan blue this election. 

Local elections welcomed Gary Peters to Senate; Michelle LaJoe-Young as Sheriff; Ellan Cogen Lipton and Jason Strayhorn to the State Board of Education; Bill Huizenga, Peter Meijer, as Representatives in Congress; Steven Johnson, Thomas A. Albert, Bryan Posthumus, Mark Huizenga, David LaGrand, Rachel Hood, and Tommy Brann as Kent County State Legislature Representatives.

Grand Rapids Community College Board of Trustees welcomes Brandy Lovelady Mitchell and  Daniel Williams retained his seat. The Collegiate reached out to Williams for a comment, but he could not be reached.

“The last couple of months have only solidified how critical GRCC is to our region,” said Mitchell. “I am excited to learn more about the services and programming of GRCC. I am excited to interact with more of the wonderful humans who make up GRCC’s community. I hope to achieve policy governance that situates GRCC in being responsive, innovative and relevant for everyone in our region!”