Even before it was clear Democrats were on the verge of an historic victory Tuesday night, Antonio Caballero, of Bridgeport, had high hopes.
An immigrant from South America who grew up in New York, Caballero, 54, moved to Chicago after serving in the Marines. He cast his ballot hoping Democrats would take control of both chambers. After Operation Midway Blitz sent friends into hiding, rising gas prices and the war in Iran, he wanted the party to "really hold Trump accountable for all the craziness he has imposed upon the country."
Democrats now have that chance.
Voters in Illinois and across the country swept a wave of Democratic lawmakers into office on election night. Candidates flipped what were considered durably Republican seats in states like Texas and South Carolina, in a clear rebuke of President Donald Trump's policies on immigration, the economy and the war in Iran.
Allen Nelson, of Bridgeport, considers himself an independent. As he watched the results come in on Tuesday night, he saw a referendum on President Trump as "really gratifying."
"I find myself just extremely dismayed and horrified at what's going on in Washington right now, which isn't unique to the Trump Administration, but it's certainly a new low in my opinion," Nelson, 41, said.
Joanna Ruiz spent most of Tuesday night following the election results.
She was “happy and refreshed” with how the midterms went and hopes for “a better government” that emphasizes human rights and holds those in power accountable.
“I’m really hoping for accountability,” Ruiz, 32, said. “That’s what we’ve been missing for the past two years."
Ruiz originally moved to Illinois from the Philippines in 2015 and moved to Little Village two years ago. She says Operation Midway Blitz played a role in the midterm results.
“It’s nice that a lot more people turned out to vote,” Ruiz said. “We’re trying to protect our neighborhood.”
Ruiz was surprised that politics in the United States was similar to in the Philippines where those in wealth aren’t primarily concerned with helping the average person.
“The U.S. is supposed to be this powerhouse, but it isn’t much different from the Philippines,” Ruiz said.
