Jared Kamrass of Cincinnati, Ohio has worked as a political strategist for over 10 years in the Midwest and Upper South. Jared Kamrass founded Rivertown Strategies in 2013 and most recently joined Technicolor Political in 2021. As a senior advisor to the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, Mr. Kamrass has served as chief strategist for candidates running for mayor, governor, and state legislature. In the article below, Mr. Kamrass discusses the upcoming Midterm headlines and predictions.
Major social and economic shifts have brought new issues to the forefront in the lead-up to the 2022 midterm elections. Between rapidly rising inflation, unsustainable housing prices, and the overturn of Roe v. Wade, many analysts are questioning whether once predictable states will become hard-fought battlegrounds between the Democratic and Republic parties says Jared Kamrass of Cincinnati, Ohio.
Although elections are still a few months away, polls indicate significant shifts that could indicate a surprise result in November. Jared Kamrass of Cincinnati, Ohio takes a look at some of the most intriguing constituencies and discusses how the Trump camp still maintains a hold over the Republican field, how economics are influencing voters, and how the Supreme Court’s recent landmark decision may affect electoral outcomes.
The Texas Gubernatorial Race Tightens Follow the Overturn of Roe v. Wade
Prior to June 2022, Texas’s incumbent gubernatorial candidate, Governor Greg Abbott held a firm 15-point lead over his competition, but that lead began to slip following the Supreme Court’s decision to overturn their prior ruling on Roe v. Wade. After the head court chose to dismantle federally backed abortion rights, Abbott’s 2021 “trigger law” went into effect, outlawing abortion throughout Texas.
Jared Kamrass says this led to widespread protests and a general feeling of unrest among Texans, particularly young women. In the months since the Court’s decision, Abbott’s numbers have slipped to just a 5-point lead, although he now only holds a slim 7-point lead over his Democratic opponent, former Texas representative, Beto O’Rourke.
While the race has been close in the past, it is worth noting that no Democrat has won a statewide election in Texas since 1994. However, with the abortion issue at the forefront of many voters’ minds, it is possible that we could see a surprise upset in the gubernatorial race come November.
The Trump Camp Maintains a Hold Over the Republican Field
In the lead-up to the 2022 midterms, the Republican party has been grappling with how to deal with former President Donald Trump’s influence over the party. While some members have been critical of Trump and his role in the January 6th Capitol insurrection, others have remained loyal to the former president says Jared Kamrass of Cincinnati, Ohio.
This has led to a split within the party, with some candidates aligning themselves with Trump and his supporters and others trying to distance themselves from the former president. Recent polls show that Trump still holds a strong grip over the Republican party, though, with nearly 60% of respondents saying they would vote for a candidate he endorsed.
This indicates that, despite his impeachment and the recent FBI raid on his Mar-a-Lago compound, Trump is still a powerful force within the party and his endorsement could be make-or-break for many candidates in the lead-up to the 2022 midterms.
High Inflation and the Economy Could be the Deciding Factor
In addition to the Supreme Court’s decision on Roe v. Wade and Trump’s continued influence over the Republican party, the economy will also be a major factor in the 2022 midterms. Inflation has been on the rise in recent months, with the consumer price index rising to above 8.0%—the highest rate since 2008.
Jared Kamrass explains that this has led to concerns about the sustainability of the current economic recovery and whether the Federal Reserve will further raise interest rates in order to combat inflation. Higher interest rates could put a damper on economic growth and put pressure on stocks, which have been one of the main drivers of the recovery.
This could lead to voters being more concerned about the economy and their personal finances, which could sway them towards candidates who they feel will be better equipped to handle the situation. And, given the rapid growth of the stock market under the Trump administration, many voters may feel economically safer under a Republican-controlled Senate and House of Representatives says Jared Kamrass of Cincinnati, Ohio.
Massive Investments into Infrastructure and Green Energy Dampened by War and High Prices
There’s no denying that the Biden administration has achieved some of the most extensive legislative goals in recent memory. In just a few months, his $2+ trillion infrastructure and green energy plans have successfully passed both the House and the Senate says Jared Kamrass.
However, Jared Kamrass says that the bills have been met with some criticism, particularly in regard to the high price tag and the fact that much of the money will be going towards pet projects of the Democratic party. Additionally, the bills have been overshadowed by the escalating war between Russia and Ukraine and the cost of supplying the European nation with arms.
Conclusion
All in all, the 2022 midterms are shaping up to be a close and unpredictable race. While the economy and foreign policy will certainly be major factors, the Supreme Court’s decision on Roe v. Wade and Trump’s influence over the Republican party could also affect the outcome. One thing is for sure, though—with so many factors at play, it’s going to be an interesting few months.
