Sen. Al Franken and Minnesota Gov. Mark Dayton were re-elected Tuesday night, bucking a national trend in which Republicans grabbed control of both houses of Congress.

Franken defeated his Republican opponent Mike McFadden, and Dayton beat Republican Jeff Johnson in a five-candidate race. Both DFL candidates ran on platforms that included improving the economy, making college more affordable and building the middle class.

“Thank you for taking a chance on me six years ago,” Franken said. “And thank you for giving me the chance to keep working for you in Washington.”

Franken recently supported a bill that would allow people to refinance their student loans, a goal that has been part of his platform. Junior Margaret Chelsvig said she appreciates Franken’s efforts and hopes to see them continue.

“It’s definitely important to me as a college student and other students as well,” Chelsvig said. “I’m excited because (Franken) represents the values that Minnesota Democrats really appreciate.”

According to preliminary exit poll results conducted for the Associated Press and television networks, Dayton performed well among young voters, those who earn less than $100,000 a year and union households. Minnesota DFL Chairman Ken Martin said the party has worked to help students afford college.

“The Democrats, when they were in control over the past two years, they did a number of things to invest in education,” Martin said. “We want to make sure college students not only aren’t facing the crushing student debt that they’re facing, but that there’s jobs for them when they come out of college as well. We want to invest in the future and that future is with young people.”

Though the Democrats led in Minnesota they trailed nationwide. Republicans gained control of the U.S. Senate, gaining seven seats – 52 total, enough for junior James Jensen to say that even though he is excited about Franken and Dayton’s victories, he is disappointed with nationwide Republican victories.

“It’s disappointing, but no matter what, it’s going to be two more years of stagnation,” Jensen said. “No matter what, we have a Republican house and a Democratic president. With these two things nothing’s going to get done either way, no matter who won the Senate.”

Statewide, Franken defeated McFadden with 53.13 percent of the vote. McFadden trailed at 42.92 percent. Dayton won with 50.06 percent with opponent Jeff Johnson gaining only 44.53 percent.

At St. Thomas’ Precinct 6, 51.13 percent of the votes went to Franken and 44 percent to McFadden. Dayton received 50.5 percent of the vote versus Johnson’s 42.96 percent. Results were more polarized in Precinct 7 with Franken taking 66.74 percent of the vote and McFadden taking 31.80 percent. Dayton won 63.67 percent of the vote with Johnson trailing at 30.68 percent.

After McFadden conceded around 10:30 p.m., Franken took the stage to thank campaign staff and voters and lay out his plan for the future.

Franken and Dayton both put forth bipartisan messages and called for cooperation between the people of Minnesota, as well as between politicians.

“We’re all Minnesotans,” Dayton said. “Our futures and fortunes are intertwined.”

Grace Pastoor can be reached at past6168@stthomas.edu.