Election Night Was a Good One for Business Leaders Republicans swept into office, and so did some big names from the corporate world.

By Ben Geier

This story originally appeared on Fortune Magazine

Denis Kornilov | Shutterstock.com

Last night, Americans took to the polls and voted, and the results were clear: this is a good year for Republicans. The GOP took back the Senate and strengthened its hold in the House of Representatives, setting up two years of divided government leading up to the 2016 Presidential elections.

Last week, Fortune took a look at some of the people with prominent business ties who were running for office, and some of the ballot initiatives that would have a big impact on business. So, how did they do?

On the whole, pretty well.

In Arizona, former Coldstone CEO Doug Ducey, a Republican, was elected to the governorship. Ducey won comfortably, taking nearly 54% of the vote. Down in Florida, meanwhile, sitting Republican governor Rick Scott, formerly CEO of Columbia Hospital Corporation, won reelection with just 48% of the vote. Former Dollar General CEO David Perdue won his election to the Senate as a Republican in Georgia, while founder of Capital Cellular, early Nextel investor and sitting Democratic Senator Mark Warner won a closer-than-expected election in Virginia.

The only loser from our guide was Democrat Mary Burke, a former executive at Trek, a bicycle company founded by her family. Burke lost her bid to take down sitting Republican Governor Scott Walker in Wisconsin.

In terms of ballot initiatives, it was almost a clean sweep for "yes." Pot legalization passed in Oregon and Washington, D.C., and a yes vote was lately looking likely in Alaska, although a medical marijuana initiative failed in Florida. Minimum wage hikes were approved in Arkansas, Alaska, South Dakota and Nebraska, with a non-binding resolution also passing in Illinois. Massachusetts passed an initiative requiring paid sick leave.

Ben Geier is an Online reporter @fortunemagazine.

Want to be an Entrepreneur Leadership Network contributor? Apply now to join.

Starting a Business

Why Startup Founders Should Look Beyond Traditional Funding and Tap Into Alternative Forms of Capital

Here's why the future belongs to those who dare to think differently about capital.

Business News

These Are the 10 Highest-Paying Jobs With the Lowest Stress, According to a New Report

From astronomer to geographer, these jobs will reportedly offer the highest paychecks with the least amount of stress in 2025.

Living

How High Housing Costs Are Driving America's Labor Crisis

Inflation-driven housing costs and labor shortages demand urgent, innovative housing solutions.

Side Hustle

This 24-Year-Old's Creative Side Hustle Surpassed $1 Million in Sales: 'Definitely Doing Something Right'

Content creator and actor Alyssa McKay saw the perfect opportunity to innovate.