How did Donald Trump win the presidency? It’s a question many in the traditionally blue state — and elsewhere across the country — are wondering.

Former Democratic congressman Barney Frank — whose political career stretched from 1981 to 2013 — tackled that very question with a standing-room only crowd of 100 at the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth on November 18. Frank provided his insights on what happened, and what’s next.

Frank theorized that Trump’s surprise win over Democratic challenger Hillary Clinton symbolized voters’ rejection of two traditional American policies: the view that America should maintain order throughout the world, and the view that the government’s chief economic objective should be to maintain order.

Instead, Frank said, voters – especially white working-class voters – value tackling economic inequality and staying out of international affairs.

He also said unusual and uneven media coverage of the two candidates helped create a divide that led to Trump’s win.

“The media was undoubtedly critical of Hillary Clinton,” Frank said. “I think what happened was that the media did not take Donald Trump seriously, and they gave him uncritical exposure, almost as an entertainer.”

During a question and answer session, Frank outlined what he thinks a conservative majority Supreme Court might do with key women’s issues and human rights, including abortion and gay rights.

“I don’t think there is any question: Roe v. Wade will be overturned in the next few years,” Frank said. “There will be fights at the state level to preserve it.”

Frank said that the Supreme Court is unlikely to reverse its ruling that legalized same-sex marriage nationwide, but he did warn that other protections for LGBT people could be at risk.

“I believe the Supreme Court will recognize the right of individuals to evoke their own personal religious views as a justification for not recognizing the rights of gay and lesbian people,” said Frank, who is openly gay.

With one vacancy on the court, Frank said Trump's pick could be key in deciding those issues.

When asked by an audience member about why environmental issues did not come into play during the election – especially as Trump eyes not participating in an international climate change agreement – Frank explained that environmental issues do not play well in elections.

“If you look at environmental issues, they have rarely motivated people as much as other issues,” Frank said. “There are strong feelings, but the sad thing is they don’t seem to drive people as much.”

Frank stressed the importance of midterm elections in 2017, and advised voters to watch local and state elections. It's especially important because key issues — like abortion and gay rights — could be left up to states in the event of Supreme Court rulings, said Frank.