Mid-term elections 2022 – local, national updates

This is a developing story and will be updated throughout the day on Wednesday

Rhode Island

Major races

Governor of Rhode Island – Gov. Dan McKee (58% to 39.1%, Ashley Kalus)

Congress, District 2 – Seth Magaziner (50.3% to 47%, Allan Fung)

Lt. Governor of Rhode Island – Sabina Matos (51% to 43.3%, Aaron Guckian)

General Treasurer – James Diossa (54.2% to 45.7%, James Lathrop)

Secretary of State – Gregg Amore (59.4% to 40.5%, Pat Cortelessa)

Attorney General – Peter Neronha (61.3% to 38.5%, Charles Calenda)

Statewide Bond Issues – all approved

All other RI results

Searchable database from the RI Board of Elections – search by your city or town for local election results including local bonds, cannabis on the ballot, city councils, school committee, etc:

https://www.ri.gov/election/results/2022/general_election/

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National

No big red wave

Many seats are still too close to call as we publish this morning – mid-afternoon should provide critical answers which will ultimately show control of the U.S. House and Senate.

House control could return to Republicans but by the thinnest of margins.

Some highlights:

Massachusetts – Governor – Maura Healey (D)

Massachusetts – Bristol Co. Sheriff Thomas Hodgson loses

Florida – Ron DeSantis (R) over Charlie Crist (D)

Georgia – Warnock (D) over Hirschel Walker – will likely go to a runoff in December.

Georgia – Stacey Abrams (D) loses

New York – Gov. Kathy Hochul (D) over Lee Zeldin (R)

Pennsylvania – Fetterman (D) over Oz (R) – in close 49.9% to 47.7%

Texas – Gregg Abbott (R) over Beta O’Rourke (D)

Michigan – Gov. Gretchen Whitmer (D) over Tudor Dixon (R)

Some Western states too close to call.

It is expected that the House of Representatives will go to Republican control, with a possible margin of as small as 1. The Senate will remain Democratic control.

Speaker Pelosi will transition out and House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy will become Speaker if majority holds.

Influencing Factors

What influenced a different outcome than almost every media outlet predicted – and polling results provided? We identified these elements –

Polls – polling is not as predictable due to lack of landlines and people being hesitant to share their opinions.

Media – the media seem as split as the country – conservative media predicts conservative outcome; liberal media predicts liberal outcome.

Talk Radio – audience for talk radio, if reflected in its callers to several talk shows is a conservative land – predictions about broad political outcomes should be tempered by that strong factor.

Extreme candidates – candidates ultra left or ultra right provided a knee jerk reaction for many voters – even candidates who offered preferred platforms fell in disfavor if they were seen as extremists in total.

Early voting – voting way early, before debates are broadcast is a critical factor in elections – campaigns will need to consider this in their election plans in a more critical way.

Trump factor – Trump’s speech and hint that he will announce next week that he is running again no doubt influenced some to vote away from the Republican party. Most of the candidates Trump supported such as Dr. Oz, lost their races. Time for new leadership? DeSantis stepping up?

Biden factor – Failed programs in economics, energy, crime, immigration will continue to loom large over social issue successes.

Issues

Polling – such as it is – crime & safety, economy, immigration in one part of the country may not be as big as social issues, abortion in other parts of the country.

Early a.m. results

Getting live updates:

We recommend two sites for national updates.

The Associated Press which is updating their information every few minutes: ASSOCIATED PRESS

Politico is also providing frequent updates and graphic reviews: POLITICO

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