One Last Look at the 2022 Midterm Election
As we go to press, we are five days out from, one of the most pivotal elections in American history. It might sound a bit over dramatic, but when you look at the predicament our nation is in, just how incredibly high the stakes are if the wrong people win elections, and what could happen if Joe Biden has free reign to do whatever he wants to, to this country for another two years, there is nothing over dramatic about what we are up against. The Republican party has put up an amazing slate of candidates nationwide. They are smart, articulate, hard-working people, who also know what will happen if Democrats are left in charge. They are fighting like hell all over the nation to get their message out. Some have come from behind from pretty substantial percentage deficits, and as the races tighten, they are pulling ahead. But now is certainly not the time to get complacent. We must continue the fight as if we are still 10 points down. It is too important to slack off now. With that, this week, we will look at some of the key Senate races around the nation.
Let’s start in Arizona. Currently, Sen. Mark Kelly is up on challenger Blake Masters by just 1.5 points. Real Clear Politics has this race ranked as a toss-up, but predicts that Masters will pull it out, and it will be a Republican pick up. A Fox News poll had Kelly ahead by as many as eight points in August, but that has slowly evaporated. What may happen in Arizona, is what is likely to happen around the nation. Independents will make all the difference this year, and given the three biggest issues Americans care about, the economy, crime, and immigration, there is a good chance that independents will break for Republicans. According to FiveThirtyEight.com, Kelly is a reliable rubber stamp for Joe Biden, voting with him 94.5% of the time, which Blake Masters pointed out in their debate in early October. Kelly used scare tactics, saying, “the wheels could come off our democracy,” if Masters and other Trump-endorsed candidates are elected.
In Nevada, challenger Paul Laxalt has a 1.2-point lead over Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto. RCP also has this race ranked as a toss-up and a predicted GOP pick up. This has been a sort of sleeper race because not much was known about Cortez Masto. Back in January, Cortez Masto was up by nine points. One reason why Cortez Masto may have gone under the radar, was because she is another Biden rubber stamp, voting with him 92.9% of the time. One thing about Nevada, as well as Arizona, is a large Hispanic population. Hispanics, as well as African Americans have been no help to Democrats this election cycle. A recent USAToday/Suffolk University poll showed that nearly 40% of Hispanics say they will back a Republican candidate this election cycle, and 21% of black voters say they are backing a GOP candidate.
One of the most watched races is in Pennsylvania. It could easily determine who takes control of the Senate. Currently, Lt. Gov. John Fetterman is up on challenger Dr. Mehmet Oz by just 1.2 points. RCP also has this race ranked as a toss-up, and it is expected that the GOP will be able to pull it out and hang onto the seat. What may have turned the tide permanently for Dr. Oz was the one and only debate between the two late last month. Fetterman, who suffered a stroke in May, is still clearly struggling with auditory and speech comprehension issues. The problem for Pennsylvania voters, almost 1 million have already voted. Fetterman has a pretty radical track record of positions as well. He supports a $15 minimum wage, drug legalization, needle exchanges, and safe heroin injection sites. Having been a member of the Parole Board, he has also been the lone vote several times to release convicted felons.
In Georgia, native son and University of Georgia Heisman Trophy winner Herschel Walker is currently leading Sen. Raphael Warnock by just 1.6 points. If neither candidate reaches over 50% of the vote, this race will go to a runoff in December. Right now, RCP has this race ranked as a toss-up. Walker has been plagued by scandal in recent weeks as several women have come forward claiming that Walker paid for them to have abortions, apparently attempting to challenge his pro-life position on abortion. But Raphael Warnock has had domestic troubles of his own. In 2020, Warnock’s ex-wife accused him of running over her foot with his car. Ouleye Ndoye called Warnock “a great actor,” and said that she had hidden his alleged abuse from others.
In Wisconsin, another state that could tip the balance of power, Sen. Ron Johnson has pulled ahead of challenger Lt. Gov. Mandela Barnes by a margin of 3.0 points. The RCP ranking is toss-up, but the projection is that Johnson will win. One sign that Democrats may be getting sweaty about this race, last weekend, former President Barack Obama made a stop in Wisconsin for Barnes. Mandela Barnes has stated his support in the past for defunding the police and abolishing ICE. His campaign website also says he is in favor of marijuana legalization.
In Ohio, J.D. Vance has the chance to put the finishing touches on what truly is an amazing American dream story. Right now, Vance is ahead of Sen. Tim Ryan by 2.0 points. RCP ranks the race as leaning Republican, and that Vance will likely pull out a win. Vance’s life from humble impoverished beginnings is the portrayed in the book and later movie “Hillbilly Elegy.” He is a living testament that education and hard work can lead any American to success.
The only other thing to said here is for everyone to get out and vote. It looks like it will be a good night for Republicans, but we must vote. And as cliched as it may sound, vote like your life depends on it.
