As the polls came to a close on Tuesday Nov. 4, it was evident that the status quo would remain unchanged. The GOP swept through both Kansas and Missouri with major wins that will alter both states for at least the next two years, according to a November KMBC article.

Republicans nationally control the House and Senate, with some of their largest majorities in history. And on the state level, the state House and Senate now have the power to defeat  Democratic Governor Jay Nixon’s decisions.

Voters approved Amendment 10 in this past election. The Amendment requires two thirds of legislators to override the governor’s decisions. Their large numbers allow them to enact any law, even if Nixon vetoes it. Their numbers also allow them to spend money even if it is unauthorized by Nixon. The Legislator will run the state of Missouri over the next two years, not the Governor, House Speaker Tim Jones said, all according to a November KMBC article.

In Kansas, the race was tight for both the senate and  gubernatorial position. Paul Davis lost to incumbent Sam Brownback in one of Kansas’ closest races ever, according to a new york times article. Davis trailed with 46 percent of the vote while Brownback led with 50 percent according to the Associated Press.  Kansas is a state that historically bleeds red, so how is it that a Democrat came so close to usurping the Republican incumbent?

Political analysts attribute this bump to Brownback’s deep tax cuts, the largest in the state’s history. Revenue fell more than $300 million below the projected estimates. It is also argued that Brownback’s policies of looser gun laws and harder to obtain abortions has fostered disenchantment within his party, according to a New York times article.

However, the party was not disenchanted with Republican senator Paul Davis. The senate race ruffled feathers but the outcome itself aligned with the status quo just like the others. Independent candidate Greg Orman, a businessman turned politician with Tea Party support, turned heads when he presented a strong challenge to incumbent Senator Roberts. However, Orman was unable to pull out a victory over the long time Senator who came out on top with a 57 percent majority over Orman’s 42 percent according to the Associated Press.

The GOP was victorious because of their strategy as a referendum on the competence of President Barack Obama. Foreign policy unrest led to disenfranchisement with the ruling party. Consequently, power was returned to the Republicans in Congress. In key states like Kansas, which potentially had the power to give the Democrats control over the Senate, Republicans reigned supreme, according to a New York Times article.  The status quo in red states remained in tact.

The governor may be the governor. The president may be the president. But neither faction can do anything without the support of their Congress. The status quo in red states remained in tact. Consequently, a power struggle will ensue in the next two years between the Democratic White House and Republican Congress.