The City Wire respondents guarded in response to GOP sweep

While Arkansas Republicans were jubilant – and rightfully so – with Tuesday night’s election results, respondents to a call from The City Wire for post-election comments were more guarded and contemplative in their reactions.

Using social media, The City Wire asked people around the state to send us their comments about the election results. Most news outlets talk to the same handful of “experts” and we’re not wholly convinced they have a better handle on the outcome than many Arkansans. This effort was an experiment to shift the commentary from television talking heads to you.

Respondents were asked to not regurgitate political advertising blather on television ads or respond with talking points from the various political action groups who spent heavily on Arkansas candidates with both parties. Respondents were also asked to keep their responses to 100 words. Some did, some didn't.

“We saw enthusiasm from some of the responses we received and across social media. However, and even among some of the enthusiastic, there appeared a message of, ‘OK, you Republicans can win elections, but can you govern?’ That’s not a surprise considering the independent nature of Arkansans,” said Michael Tilley, editor of The City Wire. “The winning campaigns are certainly celebrating, but voters are like the homeowner who had to fire a general contractor halfway through the process. They are glad to have a new contractor, but they are eager to get the job back on track and will closely watch the new folks.”

This is what they, or maybe you, had to say.

• Cynthia Bailey, Fort Smith
With today's election, we will find that in a year we are still in the same place no matter who has been elected.

• Kay Atchison Brockwell, Jonesboro
The Republicans have won the government. Let's hope they don’t tear it up.

• Michelle Cernak, Crawford County
I can't vote for a mayor where I live nor can I vote for city directors where I do business. Hell, I didn't even get a sticker for voting. For me it's not about the sticker or the bonfire material. I get to remind those elected who they work for. As a mother, wife and business owner, it is my duty as a citizen to be involved in our communities that circle and aid in daily living for all no matter who is in office. I've noticed voting getting more "popular.” Lots of people helping people get informed to help them make a decision that's not just pushing a button and getting a sticker. Don't get your panties in a bunch if your person didn't win, and don't lose your spark leading up to the election. Get involved, speak up and do your part like you got the job.

• Ashleah Courtney, Little Rock
I’m surprised, but not surprised all at the same time. Arkansas is one of the poorest states in the nation, and yet residents continually vote against anything and everything that could make some sort of positive change in that. I’ve talked to people who have gone without insurance for years who are completely against any sort of healthcare reform. Yet they fail to realize that by being uninsured they are driving up healthcare costs for everyone. And that’s just one issue.

• Joel Culberson, Fort Smith
God has decided to bless us with Republicans. What did we do to deserve this?

• Mike Gilbert, Springdale
Some want opportunity and some want security. The challenge is giving the one who desires security his wishes without taking away the opportunity of the others. Some seek success and others seek security/protection. You cannot fault a person for seeking security or protection even if the security and protection is from the unknown. The issues in elections are not about principles anymore, they are all about power. Why would outside groups spend $30 million on attack ads in Arkansas if not for the goal of power? The power of opportunity exists for all who seek it.

• Matt Ketcham, Fort Smith
People get the government they deserve.

• Linda Burris Dare McBride, Fayetteville
With a GOP takeover of the U.S. Senate I worry about what happens if a Supreme Court Justice dies or can't finish their term because of sickness.

• Aric Mitchell, Fort Smith
I feel bittersweet tonight. I believe the country needs a third party desperately, but the Independent vote still isn’t viable, and Democrats have done so much damage to this country in the last 10 years (remember they had Congress for 2 under Bush) that electing a Republican Congress was the only option to roll some of that back. It’s my hope Republicans don’t take this as a win for their party but instead as a referendum on extremist politics, Left or Right, which the President has been entirely guilty of practicing these last six years. We also need to repeal or heavily revise Obamacare. That should be priority one.

• George Clay Mitchell, Van Buren
The taking of the Senate in 2014 may become the biggest political blunder for Republicans in the past 20 years. Now, they have to govern. If they govern from the middle, their vocal base will be angry. If they govern for their base, they're going to upset the rest of the country. End result, Republicans could lose majorities in both the House and Senate in 2016, as well as the presidency. It would be hard for them to recover as a national party.

• Sam Sicard, Fort Smith
In DC we got the divided government with one party controlling Congress I wanted, in Arkansas we lost the divided government I liked.