By James Irwin
Eight George Washington University alumni entered Election Day seeking another term in elected office. By Wednesday, three were still unsure of their immediate political futures.
Sen. Mark Warner (D-Va.), B.A. ’77, and Rep. Julia Brownley (D-Calif), B.A. ’75, are in races too close to call as they vie for re-election to Congress. Del. Donna Christensen (D-USVI), M.D. ’70, was trailing in her bid to be the next governor of the U.S. Virgin Islands as of Wednesday.
That the Warner and Brownley races were so tight is indicative of a nationwide trend Tuesday night that saw the Republicans sweep to victory in both chambers of Congress and win several gubernatorial races, holding governor seats in Wisconsin, Kansas and Florida and capturing Maryland.
“This was much more of an anti-Obama and anti-Democratic vote than anything else,” said Matt Dallek, assistant professor of political management at the George Washington University Graduate School of Political Management. “I think these races show you what has happened nationally. [Brownley] should have had a safe seat—Warner too.”
Colonials in Office George Washington University is the alma mater for 12 sitting members of Congress—fifth-most among all universities. Five were elected to another term in public office Tuesday night. Three are still counting votes Rep. Julia Brownley, B.A. ’75, (D-Calif.)* *Re-election race too close to call **Seeking to become governor of the U.S. Virgin Islands; official vote tally incomplete |
Five other alumni, including Sen. Mike Enzi (R-Wyo.), B.S. ’66, and Rep. Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.), M.A. ’92, won re-election bids to Congress.
Sen. Warner, who polled comfortably ahead of Republican challenger Ed Gillespie throughout election season, led Mr. Gillespie by 13,000 votes with 99 percent of Virginia counties reporting as of Wednesday. He has declared victory, though Mr. Gillespie has not yet conceded. Rep. Brownley led Republican Jim Gorell by less than 600 votes in the race to represent California’s 26th District.
Del. Christensen (D), M.D. ’70, already the first female physician to serve in Congress, is vying to become the first black woman to govern a U.S. state or territory. Unofficial election results via the Virgin Islands election system have her trailing Kenneth Mapp, 7,938 votes to 5,747 votes with 89 percent of precincts reporting.
Of the five re-elected GW alumni, three are Republicans and two are Democrats. Though they represent a wide range of the political spectrum, their commitment to public office is a common trait, said Steve Frenkil, B.A. ’74, president of the GW Alumni Association.
“Colonials—myself included—are not likely to agree with each of them and may even disagree passionately, but what we uniformly share is their commitment to service,” he said. “That is a hallmark of George Washington—the university and the man. Creating citizen leaders was the central reason our namesake sought to create a national university in Washington, D.C.”
In local politics, Mary Cheh (D), a professor in the GW Law School, was re-elected to her seat on the D.C. Council representing Ward 3.
