History was made in several races during the 2017 off-year elections, with minorities, first-timers, and other under-represented candidates winning their campaigns. But it was no easy feat. Some hopefuls were hit with racial epithets and discriminatory advertisements before they won.
And for them, victory sent a clear message: our state is not a state of hate.
At least this was Virginia’s delegate-elect Elizabeth Guzman’s reaction. She and Hala Ayala this year became the first two Latinas ever elected to the state's House of Delegates. In an interview with Cheddar on Tuesday, Guzman said that many Republicans were mimicking the anti-immigration rhetoric exhibited by President Donald Trump. In her case, her opponent accused her of wanting to protect criminals.
“I think it was a huge response from Virginia to Washington, D.C., and also to Richmond, and Prince William County,” she said about winning. “We are not a state of hate. We are a state that is diverse, and we are proud of our diversity.”
Guzman, who began campaigning in October 2016, says her children were a motivating factor for her run for office. The public administrator and social worker was already heavily involved in her community. As a delegate, she hopes to encourage Latin children to feel represented and hopes more people with her background run for office in the future.
The Oregon ballot measure permits licensed service providers to administer psilocybin for mental health purposes to those 21 or older, but they don't need to have a medical background or be otherwise credentialed to get certified.
State officials and election experts say the 2020 election unfolded smoothly across the country and without any widespread irregularities.
Ingmar Rentzhog, CEO and founder of We Don't Have Time, joined Cheddar to discuss the difference going forward in climate policy with President-elect Joe Biden.
The popular video-sharing app TikTok, its future in limbo since President Donald Trump tried to shut it down earlier this fall, is asking a federal court to intervene.
Dana Peterson, chief economist at The Conference Board and former global economist at Citi, joined Cheddar to discuss the findings of a study about what is actually leading to wealth disparities between Black and white Americans.
A more conservative Supreme Court appears unwilling to do what Republicans have long desired — kill off the Affordable Care Act.
Democrats did not flip a single state legislature as of Monday after the election, and that means the majority of legislative maps will be redone by Republicans.
John Matze, CEO of Parler, says he welcomes Republicans and Democrats alike to create "discussion, debate, and discourse" on the popular "free speech social network."
North Carolina Congressman, Patrick McHenry (NC-10), joined Cheddar to discuss the election process and when a race should be called. McHenry says this election was called prematurely but will likely hold up once the official process is complete.
The course of President-elect Joe Biden's transition to power is dependent in part on an obscure declaration called “ascertainment.”
