Staff Reports
President Joe Biden’s approval rating has taken a nosedive, but the Republicans have failed to turn it into wins in important races. The party’s inability to capitalize on Biden’s unpopularity has been evident in several key elections over the past two years. Let’s take a look at three instances where the GOP missed significant opportunities to benefit from Biden’s struggles.
Three times Republicans couldn’t capitalize on Biden’s unpopularity to win key races https://t.co/mV2JCToPeU https://t.co/mV2JCToPeU
— Washington Examiner (@dcexaminer) February 14, 2024
First up, in New York’s 3rd Congressional District, the House of Representatives gave the boot to Republican Rep. George Santos after allegations of misusing campaign funds and falsifying reports. This resulted in a special election, and former Democratic Rep. Tom Suozzi managed to clinch the victory, flipping the seat back to the Democrats. The loss means the GOP’s control in the House has been weakened, setting the stage for potential future setbacks in New York.
In Alaska’s At-Large Congressional District, the GOP faced another blow in the 2022 special election. After the passing of longtime Republican Rep. Don Young, Democrat Mary Peltola triumphed in the election, breaking the GOP’s grip on the seat that had been under their control since 1973. This loss foreshadowed the challenges the Republicans would encounter in the subsequent November 2022 elections, dashing their hopes for a “red wave.”
Lastly, in Wisconsin’s Supreme Court seat race in April 2023, the GOP suffered another defeat as Milwaukee Judge Janet Protasiewicz managed to flip control of the high court. This loss came on the heels of a divided outcome in Wisconsin’s major races during the midterm elections, indicating the GOP’s struggles in a state crucial for the 2024 presidential election.
Despite consistently leading in polling in various key races, the Republicans fell short going into the midterm elections in November 2022. As the 2024 election looms, the GOP finds itself facing a familiar scenario with polling advantages in key races and against Biden. The question remains: Can they finally turn the tide in their favor this time around?
