https://www.newsweek.com/maga-gop-election-defeats-ohio-kentucky-virginia-1841869

A number of MAGA and Republican figures have reacted to the GOP's series of defeats across the country on election night, most notably in Ohio where voters approved a motion to enshrine abortion protections in the state's constitution.

On Tuesday, voters in Ohio approved Issue 1 ballot which asked yes or no on whether to amend the state's Constitution to protect abortion rights in the wake of the Supreme Court overturning Roe vs. Wade last June. The yes vote won with 56.4 percent.

The result in Ohio arrived as Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear won reelection against challenger Daniel Cameron in a race in which he cited the Republican's support of a near total abortion ban in the state.

Democrats in Virginia also ensured that GOP Gov. Glenn Youngkin will not be able to implement his planned 15-week abortion ban after the party maintained their control of the state Senate and won a majority in the General Assembly on Tuesday.

The heavy losses for the GOP in the November elections arrived after the issues of abortion restrictions were widely blamed for the party's poor 2022 midterm showing, in which the GOP failed to retake control of the Senate and only managed a small majority in the House.

There was some good news for Republicans on Tuesday, as Gov. Tate Reeves was reelected in Mississippi, defeating Democrat Brandon Presley. Reeves' campaign focused on job creation, low unemployment and better standards in education.

He had labeled Presley as a liberal supported by out-of-state donors, The Associated Press reported.

However, many Republicans focused on what went wrong rather than what went right.

In response to Tuesday's elections, a number of Republican figures have suggested that hardline views on abortions are not supported by the general public, as well as other issues which are damaging the party's 2024 election hopes.