Amber Esparza
Arts, Culture & Entertainment Editor
It’s official, folks. The Associated Press named Republican candidate Donald Trump the 2024 election winner Wednesday morning and Democratic challenger Kamala Harris followed with her concession later this afternoon.
Students at Texas A&M University-San Antonio are showing mixed feelings about Trump winning the election, with some saying they are excited for another Republican presidency and others saying the results are not what they expected.
Psychology junior Leonardo Trevino-Garza said he voted for Harris because he was interested in her first-time home buyer policies and pro-choice ideals.
“My hopes for Kamala’s administration were that she would have improved the economy especially when it comes to housing,” Trevino-Garza said. “I was also hoping she would make abortions legal again and make healthcare more affordable and I see that’s what the democratic party advocates for as far as I can tell.”
Trevino-Garza also said he was concerned about Trump’s grasp on how tariffs and taxes work and how his plans “will affect the common people.”
“I also am worried that his policies will favor the wealthy. I am worried about the women in my life and my friends who are in one way, shape or form in the LGBTQ community,” Trevino-Garza said. “I am personally not happy with the result of the election, but it is what the people voted for.”
Business management sophomore Michael Mikhail said he voted for Trump because he believed in his message and overall Republican principles.
“I like how they govern and [their] viewpoints.”
Mikhail hopes Trump will strengthen borders as well as address pressing issues involving taxes and healthcare.
“Securing the borders is one of the things that I hope he accomplishes, and tax reduction. I hope he addresses medicare and healthcare.”
English junior Erque Olguin said he voted for Trump because of his policies on immigration and the economy. Olguin is hopeful that Trump will bring a dynamic change to the country.
Olguin said last night’s results proved “there was a huge realignment of the working class and the average American.”
Spanish junior Zach Zambrano said he voted for Harris because he wanted to see change but ended up “disappointed, especially in how [the election] turned out.”
“Different than what I would have thought, but there is obviously something else going on culturally,” Zambrano said. “There is a certain level of exhaustion and questioning with asking people ‘Is it still worth it to convince others to care for others’.”
Trump received a total of 6,369,706, or 56.3% of the total votes in Texas and Harris received 4,795,084 or 42.4% of the vote.
Winning Texas gave Trump a boost with 40 electoral votes of the 270 needed to win. Trump ultimately took over with a current total of 295 electoral votes.
Trump is expected to take office Jan. 20, 2025. He will be the oldest president elected to office at the age 78.
Joseph Ramon and Benji Mendoza contributed to this story.
