Skip to main content

The Healthcare Leaders and Propositions That Won in the 2020 Election

Analysis  |  By Jack O'Brien  
   November 04, 2020

See which healthcare-related ballot initiatives and candidates with healthcare backgrounds were victorious Tuesday night.

Update: This story was updated November 4 at 8:45 a.m. ET to add more details about vote tallies from states.

While the presidential election drew most of the attention during the 2020 election cycle, there were also plenty of races that have significant implications for the healthcare industry.

Across the country, there were numerous ballot measures dealing with healthcare policy and health leaders running for public office. 

See which healthcare-related ballot initiatives and candidates with healthcare backgrounds were victorious Tuesday night.

Notable health leaders in congressional races

Congresswoman Donna Shalala, who served as Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services from 1993 to 2001 under President Bill Clinton, lost her reelection bid in a rematch against Republican nominee Maria Elvira Salazar.  

Related: Donna Shalala's Return to Washington and the Fight for the Cost of Healthcare

Meanwhile, former White House physician Ronny Jackson won his race to represent Texas' 13th congressional district over Democratic nominee Gus Trujillo.

Rep. Roger Marshall, R-Kansas, an obstetrician by training, was elected to the Senate over Democratic nominee Barbara Bollier, a trained physician.

As of 12 a.m. Eastern Standard Time on Wednesday, Cameron Webb, D-Va., a practicing physician, lost his race to represent Virginia's 5th congressional district against Republican nominee Bob Good. Similarly, Quinn Nystrom, D-Minn., an insulin affordability advocate, lost her race to represent Minnesota's 8th congressional district against Republican incumbent Rep. Pete Stauber.

Finally, Diana Harshbarger, a pharmacist, won her race to represent Tennessee's 1st congressional district over Democratic nominee Blair Walsingham.

California Proposition 14 

As of 8:45 a.m. Eastern Standard Time, to support stem cell research through a $5.5 billion state bond held a 51% to 49% lead among California voters.

California Proposition 23

Voters in the Golden State rejected "The Dialysis Clinic Requirements Initiative," which aimed to protect dialysis patients through increased regulations on clinics.

Through the ballot initiative, chronic dialysis clinics would be required to have an on-site physician while patients were treated, among other consumer-centric protections.

In 2018, California voters rejected Proposition 8, which would have capped profits for dialysis providers at 15% above direct patient costs.

Colorado Proposition 118

Through the ballot measure, Colorado would establish a paid family leave and medical leave program, providing up to 12 weeks of paid leave through a new payroll tax, according to The Colorado Sun.

Centennial State voters approved the measure Tuesday night.

Round up of health leaders in congressional races

Lauren Underwood, RN, D-Illi., was reelected over Republican challenger Jim Obeweis.

  • Underwood is a registered nurse.

  • She also served as a senior advisor to the Department of Health and Human Services under President Barack Obama.

State Sen. Jeff Van Drew, R-N.J., claimed victory over Democratic challenger Amy Kennedy, but she vowed to stay in the fight.

  • Van Drew is a dentist.

Dr. Kim Schrier, D-Wash., was leading Republican challenger Jesse Jensen with more than 75% of the estimated vote total reported.

  • Schrier is a pediatrician.

Rep. Brad Wenstrup, R-Ohio, was reelected over Democratic challenger Jaime Castle.

  • Wenstrup is a physician.

Rep. Scott DesJarlais, R-Tenn., was reelected over Democratic challenger Christopher Hale.

  • DesJarlais is a physician.

Rep. Michael Burgess, R-Texas, was reelected over Democratic challenger Carol Iannuzzi.

  • Burgess is a physician.

Rep. Ami Bera, D-Calif., was reelected over Republican challenger Buzz Patterson.

  • Bera served as Chief Medical Officer of Sacramento County.

Rep. Neal Dunn, R-Fla., was reelected in an uncontested race.

  • Dunn is a surgeon.  

Rep. Drew Ferguson, R-Ga., was reelected over Democratic challenger Val Almonord.

  • Ferguson is a dentist.

Rep. Mike Simpson, R-Idaho, was reelected over Democratic challenger Aaron Swisher.

  • Simpson is a dentist.

Rep. Larry Bucshon, R-In., was reelected over Democratic challenger Thomasina Marsili.

  • Bucshon is a heart surgeon.

Rep. Andy Harris, R-Md., was reelected over Democratic challenger Mia Mason.

  • Harris is an anesthesiologist.

Rep. Eddie Bernice Johnson, D-Texas, was reelected over Republican challenger Tre Pennie.

  • Johnson was the first nurse elected to Congress in 1993.

Rep. Raul Ruiz, D-Calif., was leading Republican challenger Erin Cruz with 50% of the estimated vote total reported.

  • Ruiz is a physician.

Rep. Buddy Carter, R-Ga., was reelected over Democratic challenger Joyce Griggs.

  • Carter is a pharmacist. 

Rep. Seth Moulton, D-Mass., was reelected over Republican challenger John Paul Moran.

  • Moulton founded Eastern Healthcare Partners in 2011.

Jack O'Brien is the Content Team Lead and Finance Editor at HealthLeaders, an HCPro brand.


KEY TAKEAWAYS

California Proposition 23, a dialysis patient regulation, was defeated Tuesday night.

Congresswoman Donna Shalala, who served as Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services from 1993 to 2001 under President Bill Clinton, lost her reelection bid.

Meanwhile, former White House physician Ronny Jackson won his race to represent Texas' 13th congressional district.

Rep. Roger Marshall, R-Kansas, an obstetrician by training, was elected to the Senate over Democratic nominee Barbara Bollier, a trained physician.


Get the latest on healthcare leadership in your inbox.