Presidential and local election results

After days of counting mail-in ballots, the nation has selected former Vice President Joe Biden to become the next President of the United States of America.

In his victory speech, Biden pledged to unify rather than further divide the nation.

“For all those of you who voted for President Trump, I understand the disappointment tonight,” Biden said. “I’ve lost a couple of times myself. But now, let’s give each other a chance. It’s time to put away the harsh rhetoric, lower the temperature, see each other again, listen to each other again. And to make progress we have to stop treating our opponents as enemies.”

Kamala Harris made history through this election as the first female, Black, and south-Asian Vice President this nation has seen.

“To little girls and to all children, regardless of gender, dream with ambition,” Harris said in her victory speech. “Lead with conviction. And see yourself in a way that others may not- simply because they haven’t seen it before. Know we will applaud you every step of the way.”

Amid claims of voter fraud, President Donald Trump has yet to concede his office.

In a hotly contested election, Congresswoman Kendra Horn lost her seat to pro-life conservative Stephanie Bice, flipping Oklahoma County’s fifth district red. In an interview on Fox News, Congresswoman-elect Bice spoke about the record number of GOP women elected to congressional seats.

“Over the past so many years you’ve seen so many women run for higher office and for me that was the case,” Bice said. “I think that it’s just an opportunity to show that we can rise to those higher levels and represent our states in a tremendous way.”

The day following the election, Congresswoman Horn took to Twitter in an effort to explain the importance of Oklahoma County’s decision.

“Oklahoma’s Fifth District doesn’t belong to a party, it belongs to the people,” Horn said. “The future of our communities is at stake. Those are things worth fighting for, and I will not give up that fight. Not when we have so much work to do to give our families, our workers, and all Oklahomans a better life and a better shot at success.”

Oklahoma Christian University students have varying opinions on the local and presidential elections. Junior, Madyson Pape believes America is losing a president who deeply loved his troops, fought for freedom, and had plans to protect jobs in the oil and gas industry.

“My initial reaction when I heard the election results was shock and fear, but also hope in the fact that everything is still under review,” Pape said. “Biden’s presidency means economic issues for our country, that Trump worked so hard on fixing. It means losing rights protected by the 2nd amendment. Along with various other policies that he is going to overturn and/or implement. Oklahomans will be affected greatly due to his view on oil and gas.”

Despite the outcome, Pape said she hopes Americans stay United, no matter what their beliefs are. 

“As a daughter of a veteran, born and raised to love and appreciate this beautiful country I want everyone to know the respect I still have for this country,” Pape said. “I will not disrespect any president, even if I did not want them in office.”

Senior, Elizabeth Lebs has a different perspective. 

“I think that Trump losing symbolizes a lot more than just a change in president, though,” Lebs said. “Trump waged a war against the truth, the press, democracy, science, and pretty much anything or anyone else that dissented with him. While a lot of those sentiments remain with American people, and probably will for some time, Trump’s loss is the beginning of the end of those wars.”

Lebs said she also realizes just because the nation voted Donald Trump out of office, does not mean Americans can bow out of politics.

“He put his true hatred on display for 4 solid years and 70+ million Americans still voted for him,” Lebs said. “Frankly, if Biden winning is where you stop, then your activism was never about the oppressed, it was about you. I hope we continue to challenge the systems around us and extend love to the people on the margins.”