Tuesday, November 3, Election Day 2015, possible gave the country a peak into the upcoming 2016 elections. Despite the big presidential election being a year away, these smaller elections could be indicators of political trends to come. Here are some of the highlights:

In Kentucky, Republican candidate and avid Tea Party supporter, Matt Bevin, prevailed over his Democratic competition, Jack Conway. The election proved to be an historical event, providing Kentucky with the state’s first African American to win state office. The election of a Republican also proved to be greatly significant due to the fact that Bevin was only the second Republican to win the governorship in 40 years. This seems to be an interesting fact due to Kentucky’s consistency in voting red in presidential elections (GOP candidate Mitt Romney easily defeated Democrat Barack Obama in Kentucky during the 2012 election).

In Ohio, voters voiced their opinions at the ballot box by rejecting a referendum for the legalization of recreational and medical use of marijuana. The final voting margin was 2-1. The election in Ohio stands as a stark contrast to the election held in Colorado recently. It proved to be a very controversial topic since one group, ResponsibleOhio, spent 25 million dollars in campaign ads. With Ohio being a highly coveted battle ground state for it 18 electoral votes, this could be an early indication for things to come in the general election.

The controversial, embattled Sheriff of Los Angeles, Ross Mirkarimi, lost his bid for reelection. Many believe that was due to the fact that he supported sanctuary cities, especially after the murder of Kate Steinle by an undocumented individual with long rap sheet. The Sheriff was the one that made the decision to allow the man to walk free, rather than turn him into Immigration and Customs Enforcement. During the time of his release, is when he murdered Kate Steinle.

In Virginia, Republicans retained great control in the state legislature, which was bad news for Virginia Governor, Terry McAuliffe, his progressive gun control agenda.

These 2015 election results may collectively be an indicative precursor to what the general public may expect in 2016.

http://www.cnn.com/2015/11/04/politics/election-results-president-2016/

http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2015/11/04/san-francisco-sheriff-loses-re-election-bid-amid-sanctuary-city-controversy/
http://blogs.wsj.com/washwire/2015/11/04/election-2015-highlights-who-won-who-lost/