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HOUGHTON -- Much of the western UP followed the national trend of a “Blue Wave,” favoring the Democratic Party in Tuesday’s mid-term election. 58.8% of Houghton County registered voters participated in Tuesday's Midterm Election, according to unofficial county results. The numbers show, when compared to 2024's Presidential Election, a shift towards the Democratic Party broadly between the U.S. House, Senate and Governor's races in Houghton, Keweenaw, Baraga and Ontonagon Counties -- following a national trend.
Compared to 2024 in the straight party vote, only 145 more people voted for Democrats. However, 602 fewer people voted Republican. Turnout in 2024 in the county was 70%, this year it was 58.76%.
In arguably the tensest race of the night in Michigan, Democrat Abdul El-Sayed won the U.S. Senate Race, beating former Republican Congressman Mike Rogers. At press time, around 97% of the vote has been counted. According to Houghton County's results, 7,396 residents casted a ballot for El-Sayed, while 8,711 were cast for Rogers.
According to NBC News, El-Sayed gained more Democratic support in Houghton County. 9.03 points more than in the 2024 Election. Similar stories are present in nearly every county in Michigan -- as well as every single county in the U.P. Keweenaw County shifted 5.21 points towards Democrats. Baraga and Ontonagon Counties shifted 7.57 and 7.37 points respectively.
Michigan's 1st Congressional District race saw a similar shift towards Democrats. While Incumbent Republican Jack Bergman won Houghton County with 8,379 votes, to Democratic challenger Callie Barr's 7,637. The county shifted 12.52 points towards Democrats, according to NBC. Keweenaw County shifted 10.42 points compared to 2024. Baraga and Ontonagon Counties shifted 10.71 and 11.05 points respectively.
Bergman won re-election. He captured 53.8% of the district's vote and will serve his 8th term in Congress starting in 2027.
In the Governor's race, Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson beat Republican Congressman John James, capturing 54.5% of the vote. Another shift towards Democrats compared to 2024, Benson's Houghton County totals were 7,660. James received 8,476 votes. It was a 12.06 point shift towards Democrats. Again, in Keweenaw, Baraga and Ontonagon Counties, Democrats made gains. The voters shifted 10.71 points in Keweenaw County, 11.86 in Baraga County and 12.07 in Ontonagon County.
At press time, the Democrats flipped seven Senate seats and 29 House seats. Republicans lost control of both the U.S. Senate and House -- setting President Trump up for a lame duck presidency in his final two years. Houghton, Keweenaw, Baraga and Ontonagon Counties followed the national shift towards Democrats, as did the majority of the country.