Democrats’ 2022 Election Outlook More Nuanced Than Apocalyptic
- Republicans dominated 2021 elections but must keep momentum
- Outside factors are contributing to problems facing Democrats
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A week removed from a stinging loss in the Virginia governor’s election and persistent blame for rising inflation, the picture emerging for Democrats ahead of the 2022 midterms is more complicated than it is bleak.
While Republican Glenn Youngkin won the Nov. 2 Virginia race over former Democratic Governor Terry McAuliffe in a state Republicans hadn’t carried since 2009, it was in line with historical results for the off-year election, which the president’s party typically loses. Meanwhile, New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy became the first Democrat in four decades to be re-elected. A key U.S. Senate seat in New Hampshire looks safer after the GOP’s top recruit, Governor Chris Sununu, on Tuesday declined to enter the race.