By Julia Train
On Tuesday, Nov. 5, Americans cast their ballot for president, local board of education members, senators and representatives. The country chose Republican Donald Trump as the 47th president of the United States, although Democrat Kamala Harris won New Jersey and secured the state’s 14 electoral votes.
The result called by the Associated Press, as of this writing, was 277 electoral votes for former President Trump and 224 for Vice President Harris.
New Jersey elected its first Korean-American U.S. senator, Democrat Andy Kim, replacing Democrat Bob Menendez, who resigned in 2024 following his conviction on 16 counts in a political corruption case.
Incumbent Republican and former Democrat Jeff Van Drew was elected U.S. representative for District 2, which contains Atlantic and Cape May counties.
Three Republicans were victorious in Atlantic County Commissioner races. Michael Ruffu now holds the title of Atlantic County commissioner-at-large; Maureen Kern is District 2’s county commissioner, and James Bertino is District 5’s commissioner.
The 2024 presidential election was an intense one, taking place against the backdrop of heightened political polarization and a deeply divided electorate. The race centered around key issues such as the economy, healthcare, national security, climate change and immigration.
Vice President Kamala Harris replaced President Joe Biden on the ballot when he made the decision to step away from the race in August. She chose as her running mate Tim Walz, Minnesota’s 41st governor, a former educator and retired United States Army non-commissioned officer.
Harris, who made history as the first female, first Black, and first South Asian American vice president, planned to focus on advancing economic recovery, expanding healthcare, tackling climate change, defending abortion rights and promoting social justice initiatives.
Trump was once again the party’s candidate, despite facing various legal challenges, including multiple indictments. His vice president-elect is JD Vance, a Marine veteran who serves as the junior United States senator from Ohio since 2023.
Trump and Harris made their opposite visions of America’s direction clear, reflecting the current political polarization in the country and the sharp divide in public opinion on major issues.
Trump, characterized by his “America first” stance, emphasized tough immigration policies, reducing government regulations and tax cuts, all while focusing on restoring a sense of American exceptionalism. He also advocated for less intervention in foreign affairs and prioritizing domestic interests.
In her campaign Harris represented a progressive vision, with policies aimed at expanding healthcare access, addressing systemic inequality, combating climate change, and promoting international diplomacy. Her approach is rooted in the belief that government has a large role in fostering a fair and more just society. She also leaned heavily into social issues such as racial justice and economic equality.
Harris’ campaign emphasized expanding on the policies of the Biden administration, such as infrastructure investments and climate action, while contrasting her approach to Trump’s populism, especially in regard to issues like the economy, foreign policy and social values.
A central point of contention in the election was the ongoing debate over abortion rights, as well as efforts to protect voting rights and ensure the integrity of the democratic process.
For his supporters, Trump’s victory is a step in the right direction for the economy and border control, two important issues for Republicans during the election. However, the left is nervous about what the win will mean for women, immigrants and LGBTQIA+ citizens.
Julia is a recent Rider University graduate, where she studied multiplatform journalism and social media strategies. In her spare time, she enjoys reading, trying new coffee shops, photography and the beach. She can be reached at juliatrainmedia@gmail.com or connect with her on Instagram @juliatrain
