Donald Trump greets supporters during a rally in Delaware, Ohio on Oct. 20. Credit: Alexa Mavrogianis | Photo Editor
Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump defeated his Democratic rival Hillary Clinton in the 2016 presidential election on Tuesday, according to forecasts declared by various projections by 2:29 a.m. Wednesday morning. Trump won by a 277-to-215 spread in the Electoral College at the time the race was called. Additionally, Republicans are set to retain control of the House of Representatives, as well as the Senate.
“I just received a call from Secretary Clinton. She congratulated us — it’s about us. And I congratulated her and her family,” Trump told a crowd of supporters during his victory speech, which came around 2:50 a.m. “Hillary has worked very hard, for a very long time, and we owe her a major debt of gratitude for her service. To all Republicans, Democrats and independents across this nation, I say it’s time for us to come together as a nation.”
The president of Ohio State’s chapter of Students for Trump issued the following statement when Trump’s victory became imminent:
“Everyone doubted us,” said Nick Davis, a third-year in natural resource management. “Today we closed the book on the Clintons and turned the page to a new American future. The American people made their choice clear. … We will make America strong again. We will make America rich again. We will make America safe again. And we will Make America Great Again.”
In an Ohio race that many experts declared too close to call, Trump took the Buckeye State’s 18 Electoral College votes, declared at 10:22 p.m. Republicans have never won the nation without winning Ohio. The last time a Democrat won the nation without Ohio was in 1960, when John F. Kennedy was elected president.
John Podesta, Clinton’s campaign chairman, announced just after 2 a.m. that Clinton would not address supporters that night for either a concession or acceptance speech, as votes were still being counted.
“She has done an amazing job, and she is not done yet,” Podesta said.
It was reported by CNN around 2:40 a.m. that Clinton had called Trump to concede the election.
A student watches projections roll in at an election watch party in the Ohio Union on Nov. 8. Credit: Sam Harris | Assistant Campus Editor
For some Ohio voters, Trump’s economic policy gave him an advantage, although Franklin County voted for Clinton.
“I like Trump because he’s like the tough parent. Today, you have a lot of people who get upset about things they shouldn’t get upset over. If somebody says, ‘That offends me,’ it really shouldn’t matter,” said Adam Barnes, a first-year in exploration, who said he cast his vote for Trump.
Trump’s victory didn’t come without opposition, however.
“By closing some of the capital (gains) loopholes, (Clinton) generates enough taxes to make college affordable,” said Sarah Handau, a first-year in anthropological sciences. “And it’s not the handout system people like to associate with Democrats. It’s the fact that if you’re below the poverty line, then you get benefits.”
Jake Vasilj, president of Ohio State’s chapter of College Democrats issued the following statement:
“In a narrow loss, the American people have spoken and chosen Donald Trump as their next president. While I am of course disappointed and will continue to fight for a more progressive future, I pray for our nation and hope that we can work to strengthen our nation.”
The university’s chapter of College Republicans, which did not endorse Trump, did not respond to requests for comment.
In down-ballot races, incumbent Republican Sen. Rob Portman beat former Ohio Gov. Ted Strickland in the race for Ohio’s Senate seat up for re-election this year. Portman’s 58 percent percent of the vote beat Strickland’s 37 percent.
Strickland conceded the race, sending out a notice to reporters at 7:52 p.m. in which he said he would not stop fighting for the American dream.
“Tonight’s results are not what I hoped for, but I am so grateful to those who have worked so hard to support our effort and for the opportunity to speak out over the course of this campaign on behalf of hardworking Ohioans,” Strickland said in a statement.
In congressional races, all three of the incumbent Representatives whose districts cover OSU’s campus and the surrounding off-campus area held onto their seats.
Rep. Joyce Beatty, a Democrat, beat Republican hopeful John Adams, with Beatty carrying the vote 68 percent to 32 percent.
Steve Stivers and Pat Tiberi, both Republicans, beat their Democratic challengers, Ed Albertson and Scott Wharton, 66 percent to 34 percent and 67 percent to 30 percent, respectively.
Update, 2:55 a.m.: This article was updated with comments from Donald Trump.
Michael Huson, Jay Panandiker, Sam Harris and Mitch Hooper contributed to this report.
