The U.S. midterm elections, which will determine members of Congress and governors, will take place on November 8, 2022. This election, happening two years before the presidential elections, is considered one of the most important midterm elections in the country’s history. It is certain that the midterm elections on November 8 will have a significant impact on the national and international trajectory of the United States.
The 2022 U.S. midterm elections are drawing significant attention during a period where the United States is striving to maintain its position as the sole superpower in the current global atmosphere. Particularly, this election holds importance as a gauge for recalibrating the balance of power between the two major parties in preparation for the 2024 U.S. presidential elections, and for understanding the dynamics of the country’s domestic politics. Moreover, the 2022 U.S. midterm elections serve as a preparatory function for the 60th U.S. presidential elections scheduled for November 5, 2024, as they will deeply influence the latter.
States like Georgia, Pennsylvania, Arizona, Ohio, Nevada, and North Carolina are emerging as key battleground states that will determine the fate of the 2022 midterm elections and are frequently discussed in public discourse.
The U.S. presidential elections, held every four years, are not only significant for the American citizens but also hold a substantial impact on the global agenda. The U.S. midterm elections, occurring every two years, determine the composition of the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives. The direct influence of Senate and House members on the country’s policies and agenda amplifies the importance of these elections. House members are elected for a two-year term, leading to the determination of all 435 seats in the House of Representatives during midterm elections. Senators, on the other hand, are elected for staggered six-year terms.
Viewed by the Republicans as a show of strength against the incumbent Democrats and especially President Joe Biden, this midterm election is being exploited as a significant propaganda tool in the campaign, addressing topics such as abortion laws, the controversial Afghanistan withdrawal, and the commercial ties between Joe Biden’s son, Hunter Biden, and China.
A Crucial Instrument for Controlling the House These elections also serve as a crucial political tool for both the Democratic and Republican Parties to gain control over the Senate and the House of Representatives, ensuring their respective majorities. The party in power or the opposition controlling both chambers places utmost importance on this majority to shape and guide politics in crucial decisions concerning the country. These midterm elections, also referred to as congressional elections, although not as attention-grabbing or significant to the public as the presidential elections held every four years, hold critical value and significance for the governance of the United States, as previously mentioned.
Furthermore, the midterm elections offer important clues for the upcoming presidential election in the subsequent years. Particularly, the internal transformation and the response to the policies pursued by President Joe Biden during his previous term hold importance for the domestic politics.
The Cost of Midterm Elections Approaching the Cost of Presidential Elections The cost of campaign advertisements has generated substantial financial power, divided between traditional media like TV and radio and modern social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, etc. The cumulative cost of the midterm elections has exceeded 10 billion dollars.
These figures have surpassed the cost of the 2020 U.S. presidential elections. The emergence of such high costs for the 2022 midterm elections underscores their significance and critical nature. Particularly, donors and party members contributing billions of dollars to achieve strategic goals demonstrate an increased emphasis and seriousness on this election for the future of America, compared to previous elections.
Another reason for the substantial expenses incurred by the 2022 midterm elections can be attributed to the prevailing trend of polarization in the country. Unlike previous midterm elections, it is suggested by researchers and analysts that voter turnout records could be broken in this election, serving as a critical rehearsal for the 2024 presidential elections for both the Republicans and the Democrats.
A Decision Affecting the Fate of Turkish-Americans in America Dr. Mehmet Oz, of Turkish descent, is prominently positioned as the Republican candidate in Pennsylvania, one of the most important states in America. The selection of Dr. Mehmet Oz as a candidate from a significant region like Pennsylvania has significantly impacted the midterm elections. Pennsylvania, whether in the U.S. presidential elections or the midterm elections, has always been recognized as a high-profile state. Dr. Oz’s Democratic opponent, John Fetterman, gained a level of confidence by securing an average of 48% in a survey conducted between August 20 and September 30 by ten different institutions, delivering a serious message to Dr. Mehmet Oz.
Facing a 5-point deficit in the survey, Mehmet Oz has encountered substantial opposition in the United States, particularly from the Armenian and Greek lobbies. His Turkish heritage, failure to address the issue of the alleged Armenian genocide, and his frequent controversial remarks during the campaign have occasionally placed Dr. Mehmet Oz in difficult situations in the election. Moreover, the accusation that Dr. Mehmet Oz used 300 dogs for experiments, a claim often discussed and debated in the U.S. media, is being used as a weapon by his opponents. However, due to health issues faced by his rival John Fetterman, Mehmet Oz has gained an advantageous position for now, narrowing the gap.
