A year before the presidential election, the media on Tuesday focused on the elections taking place in many states.
Ohio, a central state?
Ohio, long considered a key swing state, has shifted to the Republican side since 2016, giving Donald Trump an 8% lead in 2024.
Republicans will not fail to adjust their strategy based on yesterday’s two results. Voters voted to legalize recreational marijuana and, most importantly, to enshrine the right to abortion in the state constitution.
Since the Supreme Court overturned the 1973 ruling that legalized abortion nationwide, the issue has become a so-called “ballot box.” Democrats are sure to use this issue to their advantage next year.
Kentucky and a younger version of Joe Biden
In Kentucky, a Republican state that favored Trump by more than 25 points, Democrat Andy Beshear won a second term.
Beshear was a moderate and attributed his victory to a unifying and positive message. He sent a clear message to extremists by rejecting attacks and hatred in favor of ideas and solutions.
Democrats will note here that the governor’s platform is inspired by that of Joe Biden. If Beshear can win in a Republican stronghold, we can repeat the feat across the country.
Note Beshear’s name, many envision him running for president in 2028. Maybe even in 2024, who knows?
- Listen to the American political column with Professor Luc Laliberté about QUB radio :
Virginia denies Glenn Youngkin a majority
Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin is one of the most interesting Republican politicians in recent years. If Donald Trump is unable to run in 2024, Youngkin could advantageously replace him.
That’s why I kept a close eye on the congressional elections in Virginia on Tuesday night. A Republican victory in both chambers would have given Youngkin plenty of room to maneuver.
It’s entirely possible that Democratic victories, some of which have come on abortion here, will encourage the governor to think twice before wading into a presidential campaign. Tuesday night does not free him from the Democrats’ obstruction, but rather serves as a stumbling block.
The spirit of Elvis Presley is not enough
A curiosity spread by the media was that the Republican governor of Mississippi, Tate Reeves, who was involved in major scandals, had a distant cousin of Elvis Presley as an opponent. The King’s spirit wasn’t enough to make Brandon Presley the first Democratic governor in 24 years.
Finally, I note that issues that Democrats care about won, but the polls are very bad for Joe Biden. As I said earlier in the week, he needs to make way for a better ball carrier.