Lack of Faith in the Economy Sinks Obama’s Governors

Democratic governors lose key seats in the run up to 2016

The great Democratic bastion of New England begins to crumble

Americans are tired of dreams. Much to the dismay of Obama and his party, they want realities, especially with regard to the economy. Only 27 percent believe that their income will improve next year, an incredible fact when you bear in mind that U.S. economic indicators are positive. On this premise, it is possible to understand the Democratic disaster in Tuesday’s elections for 36 governors’ seats. Twenty-four of which are in Republican hands and 11 on the Democrats’ side, if you count the triumph of independent politician Bill Walker, who supported the blue party, in Alaska. The last seat up for grabs, in Vermont, will be decided by the State Assembly due to no candidate winning a sufficient majority. The conservatives, who defend 22 territories, only lost two (Pennsylvania and Alaska) and claimed at least four of their rivals’ capitals.

The battle for governor — those who make decisions that affect citizens (taxes, education, health …) — is bad news for Democrats and key for their opponents in the race for the White House in 2016. The conservative party has won in states that are key in the presidential fight, such as Florida, Michigan and Wisconsin. Moreover, it has taken hugely important places from the Democrats such as Illinois (the president’s state), Arkansas, Maryland and Massachusetts.

Republicans have deepened their territorial dominance with an agenda that, in many cases, is distanced from Tea Party ideology, which they used as a support in 2010. The increase of the minimum wage, the fight against poverty and questions on abortion and gay marriage have led some contenders to victory, such as Charlie Baker in Massachusetts. In the first elections to bring 100 women into Congress, the social agenda has been key, as proven by Rob Astorino in New York, crushed by Andrew Cuomo and his ultraconservative notoriety. One detail: four women hoping for re-election managed to do so, including Susana Martínez, a New Mexico Republican.

Joy has been scarce for Democrats. Beyond the triumphs, such as the reelection of Cuomo in New York or Jerry Brown in California, are Gina Raimondo in Rhode Island, Maggie Hassan in New Hampshire and Thomas Wolfe in Pennsylvania. The early triumph of Wolfe over Republican Tom Corbett, who sought reelection, raised hopes, which later proved to be false. In the thirteen states where the battle was most uncertain (Florida, Georgia, Connecticut, Illinois, Kansas, Massachusetts, Maine, Michigan, Rhode Island, Maryland, Colorado, Wisconsin and Alaska) Republicans won at least nine. Of the 19 Republican governors hoping for re-election, 17 were able to do so. On the Democrats’ side, nine had similar hopes. Seven managed to achieve it. Obama campaigned in Wisconsin, Connecticut, Maine, Pennsylvania and Michigan. It did not prove to be very helpful.

Amongst winning contenders to keep in mind for the presidential race are conservatives Scott Walker (Wisconsin), Rick Scott (Florida), Rick Snyder (Michigan) and Bruce Rauner (Illinois). The governor of Wisconsin hoped for a second term as favorite in the most conservative sectors due to his opinions on abortion and restrictive voting measures. He took on a difficult fight with Democrat Mary Burke. In the end, however, Walker won by six points. Walker was not the only one raised to power by the conservative wave of 2010 who had to make great efforts. Another case was Sam Brownback in Kansas. Surveys did not support him, but rather they supported Democrat Paul Davis. Yesterday, he received key support in the form of a swift victory.

One of the states where the battle was more heated was in Florida. In the end, Republican Governor Rick Scott, who had to overcome unpopularity stemming from measures against abortion and budget cuts, amongst other things, won by a slim margin. Opposing him was Charles Crist, ex-Republican governor turned Democrat. Both have exerted great effort with relentless attacks and electoral spending of close to $100 million between the two. In 2010, Scott spent $70 million out of his own pocket.

Republican Rick Snyder won in Michigan over Democrat Mark Schauer. Owing to union dislike after having cut public funding, he gracefully emerged with his management to take Detroit out of bankruptcy. In Illinois, Republican Rauner ousted Democrat Pat Quinn thanks, in part, to the $27 million of his own money invested in the campaign.

In New York, Cuomo defeated the conservative Rob Astorino. The Democratic governor’s campaign, based on an ambitious egalitarian proposal and his economic gains, proved unbeatable for a rival that couldn’t escape from his ultra-conservative label. Cuomo’s easy victory, in contrast to his party’s disaster, grants him the margin for greater undertakings.

No less interesting were the events in the six states of New England (Maine, Vermont, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Connecticut and Rhode Island), traditionally Democratic territory. Republicans retained Maine with the ultraconservative Paul LePage. The Democrats, however, lost Massachusetts to Republican Charlie Baker, who defends abortion and gay marriage. In Connecticut, the battle between Governor Dan Malloy and Republican Tom Foley was reported to be tight, and it was. In 2010, Foley lost by only 6,500 votes. This Tuesday, after much scrutiny, Foley accepted his defeat and the reelection of Malloy.

From the perspective of the long journey to the White House, two Republican figures who did not participate stand out — the governor of New Jersey, Chris Christie, and Kentucky Senator Rand Paul. As chairman of the Republican governors, Christie threw himself into supporting his colleagues, traveling from state to state. Following success in strongholds such as Florida, Michigan, Wisconsin, Illinois, Maryland and Arkansas, Christie’s credentials have skyrocketed.

Hillary Clinton, number one in the Democratic pools for the presidential race, came out most damaged. The negative outcome of those she supported is now being reflected on her. Paul did not hesitate to put on his Twitter account that she was the biggest loser of the night.