Democratic physicians, nurses, and scientists secured victories across the United States on Tuesday as the party regained control of Congress. The midterm elections put health care, public health, and trust in science in the spotlight.
Among the notable results, epidemiologist Abdul El-Sayed won a Michigan Senate seat, while pediatrician Annie Andrews flipped a South Carolina Senate seat for Democrats in a major upset. Their victories helped Democrats take control of the chamber.
In Ohio, physician Amy Acton was elected governor. Acton previously served as the state’s health director during the pandemic.
Democrats also won back the House of Representatives. Newly elected members include registered nurse Mitchell Berman, who flipped a seat in Wisconsin; health care executive Rebecca Bennett, who flipped a seat in New Jersey; microbiologist Jasmine Clark in Georgia; microbiologist Manny Rutinel, who flipped a seat in Colorado; and pediatrician Richard Pan in California.
Sources: STAT News.