One year ago, Republican President Donald Trump surged to win a second term by winning the states of Iowa, South Dakota and Nebraska, and many more.
At the time, Trump pledged to have a big impact in government, business, and the lives of people by cutting taxes, strongly enforcing immigration law, and pushing back against liberal-minded social issues.
And of course his almost year as president has been a bevy of such steps resulting in news cycle after news cycle, with the backdrop of many of his actions drawing criticism and support.
Last week, some high profile elections nationally where Democrats won in such states as Virginia and New Jersey gave some data points on how some Americans are feeling about the direction of the country.
This show points ahead one year from now to the November 2026 midterms, when control of the U.S. House and Senate chambers next can be determined.
To do that, I brought a group of three Siouxland academics to our studios, with professors are Julia Hellwege of the University of South Dakota, Bradley Best of Buena Vista University, and Patrick McKinlay of Morningside University.
That trio has taken part four times over the last 15 months in What's The Frequency shows — two months out from the 2024 election cycle, then the 2024 election dissection, plus a look how the first 100 days passed into the four-year Trump presidential term in May, and now the midterms.
The professors said they were not necessarily predicting the 2026 outcomes, but gave a lot of food for thought.
McKinlay said since the 1940's only two midterm elections did not result in the voting going badly for the political party of sitting presidents. If that trend continues, Republicans could see losses.
Best said a key question is how much buyer's remorse Republicans and independents who voted for Trump will be feeling in November 2026.
Hellwege said political winds can shift quickly, especially when looking over the course of a year or more.
Hellwege said the nation is improved by having large numbers of people voting, so she has concerns on Americans who are feeling dismotivated by national politics sitting out local or midterm elections.
*Click on the audio link above to hear the entire show.
What's The Frequency, Episode 85.
