MARYLAND – Elections are not just about numbers. 47ABC sat down with Delaware State University professor of political science Dr. Samuel Hoff.
Is Maryland historically a red or blue state? Could that change in the upcoming Midterm Election?
Dr. Hoff says Maryland has a long history of Democratic voting. “We can date Maryland’s policy between Democrats and Republicans to the founding of the Republican side in 1856,” he said.
“Let’s look, for example, at the results of the presidential election since 1856. Democrats have won 29 times, Republicans 12,” Dr. See the article : Exclusive: Governor Kristi Noem on the fight that woke up politics over the July 4 fireworks on Mount Rushmore. Hoff said. “We can watch the governor come back, and he’s 24 to 7 on behalf of the Democrats.”
Both U.S. Senators Ben Cardin and Chris Van Hollen are Democrats. And, all but one of the eight Representatives of the United States of Maryland are also blue. At the state level, both the Maryland Senate and the House of Delegates are controlled by Democrats.
“Really, it’s been the governor where the last two of four governors have been Republicans, that we’ve had a certain competitive nature of the parties recently,” Dr Hoff said. “Maryland seems to have that mostly Democratic emphasis, and when you have a Republican in those national or executive state offices, they tend to be moderate.”
How would flipping Maryland’s Congressional seats impact national politics and President Joe Biden’s agenda?
“We have seven out of eight Maryland House members who are Democrats. There is only one opening between those eight seats, and it looks like it’s in a Democratic district, with the probability of another Democrat,” Dr. Hoff said. “I am predicting a Republican Party revolution, based on the number of pensions announced among members of the House.”
Dr. Hoff says the chances for President Biden to win more Democrats in Congress are likely slim. “We’ve only had four cases in the last century or so where the president’s party has won seats in the Midterm Election,” he said. This may interest you : Nuechterlein: As the world changes, so does the United States. “With Senator Van Hollen for re-election in the Senate, and a 50/50 Senate, it will be an important race.”
Senator Van Hollen will likely be re-elected, according to Dr. Hoff. “This will be very important for Democrats, who are looking to maintain control of the United States Senate,” he said.
But, Dr. Hoff says the choice of the Maryland government could also influence national politics. Currently, there are 27 Republicans and 23 Democrats serving as governor across the nation. Delegate Dan Cox secured the Republican nomination. While there is no clear winner on the Democratic ticket, Wes Moore and Tom Perez are in the lead.
“The chair of the National Association of Governors certainly has a national influence, as do governors in terms of their normal executive function, and the campaign for the people,” Dr Hoff said.
Looking at preliminary results, what can we glean about the upcoming General Election in November?
“When we think of the Midterms at the national level, we usually think it’s a referendum on the president,” Dr. To see also : Joint statement after the meeting between President Biden and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah Al Sisi in Jeddah. Hoff said.
Dr. Hoff says the issues the United States has faced the most, such as inflation, crime and climate change will be the main points of discussion for the candidates.
“We have a number of problems, starting with the economy. The most recent inflation from last year to this year at 9.1%. So, it’s pretty serious,” Dr Hoff said. “These issues will not be just issues that are being talked about at the national level. I anticipate that they will run in the race for the governor of Maryland, they will come in a lot of races for the House and Senate of Maryland.”
Dr. Hoff says finally, if enough Maryland Congress seats are changed from blue to red, it could make the progress made on President Biden’s agenda harder.
“This is going to make it a little harder for the president to govern, and the Democrats to govern, as opposed to what they have now,” Dr. Hoff said. “The House has been very supportive of the president’s agenda. That could certainly change if the House changes to Republican control, which I hope it will.”
