Jose Bruno-Feliz, Staff Writer
Next Tuesday, Nov. 3, marks a very important day in the American calendar: Election Day. In just a few days, millions of Americans will head to the polls to elect senators, representatives and local officials, in an election that can determine the course of government for the next two years. As of today, Republicans control both chambers of Congress, holding 53 seats in the 100-member Senate and 218 in the 435-member House of Representatives. The GOP is looking to retain those numbers and perhaps add a few more to strengthen their majority, but Democrats are putting up quite a battle by campaigning on the GOP’s biggest liability, President Trump’s approval ratings.
President Trump’s approval ratings have hit record-breaking lows, with Reuters putting the president at 32% approval—a number that demonstrates that the majority of the American people do not approve of the president’s job performance and it has been hurting Republicans across ballots, causing many GOP candidates to distance themselves from President Trump during their respective campaigns. This echoes a similar occurrence back in 2006 with President Bush, the latest Republican predecessor, who saw many GOP members distancing themselves after his second term saw his approval ratings reach record lows.
Democrats have been performing well in the polls, reaching 52% on a CNN generic ballot poll against the Republicans’ 43% in the same poll. An NBC News poll also gave Democrats a 52% chance of taking Congress, while The Marist Poll also put Democrats at a 52% chance. Democrats’performance in the polls has caused many eyes to turn towards key races that could determine which party takes the majority in one or both chambers of Congress. In the Senate, in Georgia, incumbent Senator Jon Ossoff (D) is running for reelection, facing Congressman Mike Collins (R) of Georgia’s 10th Congressional District. The Atlanta Journal-Constitution has Senator Ossoff at 48%, while Congressman Collins sits at 40%, with the other 12% of Georgia voters remaining undecided. Over in North Carolina, former Democratic Governor Roy Cooper (D) leads former Chair of the Republican Committee Michael Whatley (R) 52.7% to 41.3% and Maine has former Maine State Senator Troy Jackson (D) leading incumbent Senator Susan Collins (R) 49% to 47%.
Ohio’s former Senator Sherrod Brown (D) is leading incumbent Senator Jon Husted (R) by 47.7% to 44.6%, a closely watched special election to fill the remainder of JD Vance’s (R) term, who resigned the seat in 2025, upon becoming the 50th Vice President of the United States. Over in Alaska, former Representative Mary Peltola (D) leads incumbent Senator Dan Sullivan (R) 46.9% to 45.8%. The last two states are viewed as crucial are Michigan and Texas. In Michigan, Abdul-El Sayed (D) leads Former Congressman Mike Rogers (R) 47.3% to 44.7% while over in Texas, State House Representative James Talarico (D) is leading Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton (R) 48.1% to 45.5% in what would be, if polls turn out correct, a historic election, the first Democratic Senator of Texas since 1993. If polls hold, sentiment on President Trump’s approval numbers and frustrations on the state of the country would cause Democrats to sweep the senate and retake the House but at the end of the day, they are just polls; only you have the final word.
No matter who you root for or believe in, go vote. If you need to find your nearest polling place, you can find it here.
If you’re registered to vote at La Salle University, make your voice heard! Join the Student Government Association, Pep Band, and fellow Explorers for March to the Polls on Tuesday, Nov. 3. Meet at the black gates at 19th & Olney (next to The Chapel) before heading to Widener School (1450 Olney Ave) to cast your ballot. Enjoy free giveaways and Mr. Softee. The event runs from 12:30 p.m. to 2 p.m.
