Democratic, Republican strategists agree economy will trounce guns, abortion as ‘number one issue’ in midterms – Yahoo News
Political strategists from both sides of the aisle are sounding off about what issues they think voters will care most about as they head to the polls for this year's midterm elections.
A number of those strategists spoke with Fox News Digital to give their predictions about which direction voters might swing in an election cycle that historically sees the party not in power, the Republicans in this case, make significant gains in Congress and other races.
Despite differences in opinion as to how the hot-button issues of abortion and gun control would sway voters, the one thing they all agreed on was that the economic challenges plaguing the country would take center stage when it came to which party Americans would ultimately support.
Democratic strategist James Carville pointed to the country's economic woes as the main indicator for how the midterms could go. Munoz for ICSS Livepic/Getty Images
TEXAS HOUSE COULD DOUBLE NUMBER OF GOP WOMEN IN NOVEMBER: WERE SICK OF HAVING THE LEFT SPEAK FOR US'
Veteran Democratic strategist James Carville poured water on the idea that concern over guns would make a significant impact in the elections and pointed to the country's economic woes as the main indicator for how the midterms could go.
"Historically it hasn't been a dominant issue," he said, referencing the impact guns could have on election results, but noted it could have a specific effect on some Democratic voters concerned about other "cultural" issues like the environment and abortion.
Carville admitted that the outlook for Democrats in the midterms was "not going in a very good direction," but that they could potentially "cut their losses short" if voters did decide to turn out over fears that a Supreme court decision ending Roe v. Wade would lead to future decisions they might oppose.
Earlier in the spring, voters' concerns centered largely on the Biden administration's handling of the numerous economic challenges facing Americans, including a near 40-year-high inflation rate and record-high gas prices. However, the discussion on the political landscape surrounding the midterms was upended in May with the leaking of a Supreme Court draft memo suggesting the nation's highest court might be set to overturn Roe v. Wade, the 1973 landmark decision legalizing abortion nationwide.
Story continues
The leaked draft memo was followed by the shooting deaths of 10 people at a Buffalo, New York, supermarket, as well as the shooting last week at an Uvalde, Texas, elementary school that killed 19 children and two teachers.
OHIO SENATE SHOWDOWN: REPUBLICAN JD VANCE HAS SLIGHT EDGE OVER DEMOCRATIC REP. TIM RYAN
Each of those events sparked intense political rhetoric from Democrats over future access to abortions, as well as potential gun control legislation, that began making its way into conversations surrounding the elections.
Carville ultimately predicted Democrats' performance would depend on the economy, specifically pointing to the Consumer Price Index (CPI) and income growth.
He argued "Democrats might do better" if those two indicators improved, but that for now it was "like watching two horses race back and forth."
"The big problem for this White House and the Democratic Party, is they've created so many other problems that are competing with abortion or guns among voters, and it's going to be hard to put those aside," said former Trump administration adviser Kellyanne Conway, specifically mentioning high gas prices, supply chain issues, and the shortage of baby formula affecting families with newborns.
Conway argued that Democrats were trying to capitalize on issues like abortions and guns, two topics she discussed at length in her new memoir, "Here's the Deal," but that they were "competing with themselves for voters" because of their handling of the economic challenges affecting Americans.
She added that Democrats were making "significant miscalculations" by thinking that voters only cared about certain issues, but noted that the recent shooting tragedies and concern over Roe v. Wade could still drive more people to the polls.
People use voting machines to fill out their ballots in the Georgia primary at the Metropolitan Library on May 24, 2022, in Atlanta. Joe Raedle/Getty Images
TRAILING OZ BY JUST OVER 900 VOTES IN GOP SENATE PRIMARY, MCCORMICK ASKS FOR HAND RECOUNT IN 12 PA COUNTIES
Democratic strategist and Fox News contributor Kevin Walling talked about the importance of issues like guns and abortion, but repeated the same argument made by Carville and Conway that voters' intentions would come down to the "bread and butter issues."
"It's still going to be inflation as the core focus, I think, of voters going to the polls," he said.
Walling stated that Roe v. Wade and guns could come into play in some races across the country where those issues stand out specifically for certain constituents, but that "it really is going to be the economy."
He added that "the million-dollar question" was which party would come out on top in November, but that he was "bullish" about Democrats' chances despite their economic challenges.
President Biden clears his throat as he announces new steps requiring government to buy more made-in-America goods on March 4, 2022. Reuters/Evelyn Hockstein
Voters' concerns about the economy have also been evident when it comes to President Biden's approval rating.
According to a poll published last month by the Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Research, only 18% of respondents said Bidens policies had helped more than they had hurt the economy, while 51% said his policies had hurt more than they had helped.
See the original post here:
Democratic, Republican strategists agree economy will trounce guns, abortion as 'number one issue' in midterms - Yahoo News
- Colorado primary for governor: Meet the Democratic and Republican candidates - Colorado Springs Gazette - June 16th, 2026 [June 16th, 2026]
- Former Chairwoman of the Lynchburg Republican City Committee speaks on primary nullification - WSLS - June 16th, 2026 [June 16th, 2026]
- Former Vice President Pence on His New Book and the Republican Party Outlook - C-SPAN - June 16th, 2026 [June 16th, 2026]
- Baldwin Calls on Republican Leaders to Bring Bipartisan Bill to Cap Insulin at $35 Up for a Vote - Urban Milwaukee - June 16th, 2026 [June 16th, 2026]
- Judge Dismisses Republican Groups Case Against the University of Florida - The New York Times - June 16th, 2026 [June 16th, 2026]
- Congressman Mfume Statement on Republican Passage of ICE & CBP Funding via Reconciliation - Representative Kweisi Mfume | (.gov) - June 16th, 2026 [June 16th, 2026]
- Republican voucher initiative would override voters' approval of others - PinalCentral.com - June 16th, 2026 [June 16th, 2026]
- Senate Republican on FISA holdup: Stop playing the politics - Senator Shelley Capito (.gov) - June 16th, 2026 [June 16th, 2026]
- Republican Need Some Serious Thought Into Whats Next - The Newnan Times-Herald - June 16th, 2026 [June 16th, 2026]
- Republican Peter Soul advances to the general election for U.S. House in California's 16th Congressional District - Caledonian Record - June 16th, 2026 [June 16th, 2026]
- Republican decision on secretary of state race could also show reach of Banks influence - The Republic News - June 16th, 2026 [June 16th, 2026]
- Q&A: Meet the Republican candidates vying for Colorado Governor - SummitDaily.com - June 12th, 2026 [June 12th, 2026]
- Republican Greg Cunningham on the border, Trump and big money in the N.M. CD2 race - Santa Fe New Mexican - June 12th, 2026 [June 12th, 2026]
- 'I wont vote for Ken Paxton': Former GOP official breaks with party in ad to play during Texas Republican convention - Spectrum News - June 12th, 2026 [June 12th, 2026]
- Times Opinion: This is the Hamilton County budget you get under Republican rule - Chattanooga Times Free Press - June 12th, 2026 [June 12th, 2026]
- Carter supports House Republican passage of life-saving ICE, Border Patrol funding - U.S. Representative Buddy Carter (.gov) - June 12th, 2026 [June 12th, 2026]
- Trump pardons former Republican congressman convicted of insider trading - PBS - June 12th, 2026 [June 12th, 2026]
- Evette and Wilson Advance to Runoff in South Carolina Republican Primary for Governor - The New York Times - June 12th, 2026 [June 12th, 2026]
- In Nevada, Trumps policies are making things tough for Republican Gov. Joe Lombardo - NPR - June 12th, 2026 [June 12th, 2026]
- How the political typology groups feel about the Republican and Democratic parties - Pew Research Center - June 12th, 2026 [June 12th, 2026]
- Beshear slams Louisville Republican for medical cannabis attack: 'I think they think it's masculinity' - WHAS11 - June 12th, 2026 [June 12th, 2026]
- A quick look at the Colorado governor candidates running in this months Democratic, Republican primaries - The Denver Post - June 12th, 2026 [June 12th, 2026]
- These Republican Lawmakers Challenged Abortion Bans. Then They Faced Backlash. - ProPublica - June 12th, 2026 [June 12th, 2026]
- Ousted Republican Heather Hill re-enters governors race as write-in candidate - NBC4 WCMH-TV - June 12th, 2026 [June 12th, 2026]
- 5 Big Moments in the Texas Republican Senate Race - The New York Times - May 27th, 2026 [May 27th, 2026]
- Trump is getting the Republican Party that he wants. But can he win in the midterms? - The Seattle Times - May 27th, 2026 [May 27th, 2026]
- What to expect in the Texas US Senate Republican primary runoff - PBS - May 27th, 2026 [May 27th, 2026]
- Ken Paxton Wins the Senate Republican Primary Runoff in Texas - The New Yorker - May 27th, 2026 [May 27th, 2026]
- MAP: How Bexar County and Texas voted in the U.S. Senate Republican primary runoff - KSAT - May 27th, 2026 [May 27th, 2026]
- 5 Things to Know About Ken Paxton, the Republican Senate Nominee in Texas - The New York Times - May 27th, 2026 [May 27th, 2026]
- Democratic Incumbents Run Against Each Other After Republican Redistricting in Texas - The New York Times - May 27th, 2026 [May 27th, 2026]
- Americas ugliest primary? Texas Republican infighting could hand Senate seat to Democrat - The Guardian - May 27th, 2026 [May 27th, 2026]
- State Republican convention headed for Duluth - Duluth News Tribune - May 27th, 2026 [May 27th, 2026]
- WATCH: Would Republican candidates for SC governor want to appoint judges? Heres what they said. - WIS News 10 - May 27th, 2026 [May 27th, 2026]
- Republican-Appointed Judges Just Gave the Roberts Court a Stunning Rebuke - Mother Jones - May 27th, 2026 [May 27th, 2026]
- WATCH: Republican candidates for SC governor speak on failed redistricting push, loyalty to Trump - WIS News 10 - May 27th, 2026 [May 27th, 2026]
- Republican attorneys general split with House party members over US social media bill - Reuters - May 27th, 2026 [May 27th, 2026]
- Trump is getting the Republican Party that he wants. But can he win in the midterms? - Yahoo - May 27th, 2026 [May 27th, 2026]
- Republican Rep. Mike Flood Jeered at Another Contentious Nebraska Town Hall - News of the United States - NOTUS - May 27th, 2026 [May 27th, 2026]
- Read the DOJ's memo to Republican senators on how Trump's $1.8 billion 'anti-weaponization' fund will work - PBS - May 22nd, 2026 [May 22nd, 2026]
- Trump exerts iron grip on Republican Party with Massie defeated - BBC - May 22nd, 2026 [May 22nd, 2026]
- Blanche thrust into Republican firestorm over $1.8B fund as he seeks to prove his loyalty to Trump - KSAT - May 22nd, 2026 [May 22nd, 2026]
- Blanche at center of Republican firestorm over $1.8B fund as he seeks to prove his loyalty to Trump - Inquirer.com - May 22nd, 2026 [May 22nd, 2026]
- Congress delays vote on Republican-backed ICE funding after GOP infighting - KUOW - May 22nd, 2026 [May 22nd, 2026]
- Tommy Tuberville wins Republican nomination for Alabama governor - ESPN - May 22nd, 2026 [May 22nd, 2026]
- Greg Dolezal and John F. Kennedy advanced from the May 19 Republican primary for lieutenant governor of Georgia to the June 16 primary runoff -... - May 22nd, 2026 [May 22nd, 2026]
- Republican announces write-in campaign for seat held by late Rep. Liz Conmy - InForum - May 22nd, 2026 [May 22nd, 2026]
- Blanche at center of Republican firestorm over $1.8B fund as he seeks to prove his loyalty to Trump - AP News - May 22nd, 2026 [May 22nd, 2026]
- Thomas Massie - Republican who stood up to Trump is hoping for big win against president - BBC - May 22nd, 2026 [May 22nd, 2026]
- Trumps revenge tour may have sparked a Republican revolt - MS NOW - May 22nd, 2026 [May 22nd, 2026]
- It will be a very difficult cycle for a Republican to hold on. - KTAR News 92.3 FM - May 22nd, 2026 [May 22nd, 2026]
- Blanche at center of Republican firestorm over $1.8B fund as he seeks to prove his loyalty to Trump - Caledonian Record - May 22nd, 2026 [May 22nd, 2026]
- Republican party infighting spills over to Montana's legislative primaries - Montana Public Radio - May 22nd, 2026 [May 22nd, 2026]
- Blanche at center of Republican firestorm over $1.8B fund as he seeks to prove his loyalty to Trump - dailyrecordnews.com - May 22nd, 2026 [May 22nd, 2026]
- Sen. Bill Cassidys defeat shows the price of dissent in Trumps Republican Party - NBC News - May 17th, 2026 [May 17th, 2026]
- Polls vs prediction: The Kentucky primary testing Trump's influence in Republican party - TRT World - May 17th, 2026 [May 17th, 2026]
- Why Trump is going to war with Kentuckys rebellious Republican - The Times - May 17th, 2026 [May 17th, 2026]
- This Republican voted to convict Trump. Now he's up for reelection. Can he survive? - NPR - May 17th, 2026 [May 17th, 2026]
- Sen. Cassidy knocked out of Louisiana Republican primary as Trump-backed Letlow, Fleming make runoff - AP News - May 17th, 2026 [May 17th, 2026]
- Trump's revenge tour continues with ouster of Republican Sen. Bill Cassidy - WBAL-TV - May 17th, 2026 [May 17th, 2026]
- Georgia Senate race tests Gov. Brian Kemps sway in the Republican Party - NBC News - May 17th, 2026 [May 17th, 2026]
- All three branches of government should have a stock trading ban: House Republican - The Hill - May 17th, 2026 [May 17th, 2026]
- CT Republican convention opens with congressional nominations after governor race shake-up - CT Insider - May 17th, 2026 [May 17th, 2026]
- Gail Symons: The Difference Between The 1994 And 2026 Republican Platform - Cowboy State Daily - May 17th, 2026 [May 17th, 2026]
- A Top Connecticut Republican, Accused of Fraud, Ends Her Bid for Governor - The New York Times - May 17th, 2026 [May 17th, 2026]
- Trump Gets Revenge on Republican Who Voted to Convict Him - Yahoo Finance - May 17th, 2026 [May 17th, 2026]
- Colorado county Republican chair arrested in sting on allegations he tried to pay for sex with a child - Colorado Springs Gazette - May 17th, 2026 [May 17th, 2026]
- Cornyn and Paxton battle for Republican nomination, abortion pill ruling sparks Texas reaction - CBS News - May 17th, 2026 [May 17th, 2026]
- Trump Gets Revenge on Republican Who Voted to Convict Him (1) - Bloomberg Government News - May 17th, 2026 [May 17th, 2026]
- Democratic spokesperson's advice to the Republican Party: 'Learn from the Biden Administration' - CNN - May 17th, 2026 [May 17th, 2026]
- Republican candidates sue to block unaffiliated voters from participating in June primary - Colorado Newsline - May 11th, 2026 [May 11th, 2026]
- In win for voters, Montana court blocks Republican-backed attack on Election Day registration - Democracy Docket - May 11th, 2026 [May 11th, 2026]
- What makes a good teacher? Ask a Republican and a Democrat, and they are likely to agree - The Conversation - May 11th, 2026 [May 11th, 2026]
- 2026 Primary Election: Two Candidates Look for the Republican Nomination in House District 3 - Flathead Beacon - May 11th, 2026 [May 11th, 2026]
- Idahos Republican civil war intensifies as the primary election draws near - Idaho Education News - May 11th, 2026 [May 11th, 2026]
- Iowa politics: KCCI's full interview with Eddie Andrews, Republican candidate for governor - KCCI - May 11th, 2026 [May 11th, 2026]
- Netflix Sued by Republican Texas Attorney General, Who Alleges Service Is Spying on Users and Is Designed to Be Addictive - Variety - May 11th, 2026 [May 11th, 2026]
- G.O.P. Fatigue in Iowa Strains the Republican Primary for Governor - The New York Times - May 11th, 2026 [May 11th, 2026]
- House Republican Proposes Bill to Wind Down the Iran War - The New York Times - May 7th, 2026 [May 7th, 2026]
- Another House Republican is under the microscope for alleged sexual misconduct - Politico - May 7th, 2026 [May 7th, 2026]