David Karol, GVPT Associate Professor, Shares Takeaways From a Night of Firsts and Defied Expectations

UMD Expert Explains What Midterms Mean for Biden, How Democrats Did Well and the Historic Slate of Maryland Winners

Despite economic headwinds, Democratic candidates so far have surpassed expectations in yesterday’s midterm elections, holding ground in congressional races and picking up offices at the state and local levels, including notching a historic first in Maryland.

Predictions of Republicans easily retaking both chambers of Congress in a “red wave” were refuted by early returns–meaning President Joe Biden may not suffer the same sort of losses as President Bill Clinton in 1994 or President Barack Obama in 2010.

With many tight races nationwide still undecided, Maryland Today spoke with David Karol, an associate professor in the University of Maryland’s Department of Government and Politics, about why Democrats did better than anticipated, how a change in Congress could alter Biden’s agenda, and why Maryland’s top offices all went back into Democratic hands.

Photo credit: AP Photo/Julio Cortez

Published on Thu, Nov 10, 2022 - 11:45AM