Until last night, it seemed both Biden and Trump had reasons to celebrate ahead of the midterms and a potential rematch in 2024. But even an FBI raid may not dampen Republicans’ support of the former president.
In welcome news for Democrats:
- The Senate passed Biden’s long-awaited Inflation Reduction Act, addressing key Democratic priorities like climate change, healthcare costs and some corporate taxes.
- Amid record inflation, gas prices have fallen for 50 straight days and are approaching an average of $4 per gallon.
- The July jobs report showed a gain of 528,000 jobs—more than double what economists had been predicting.
- Despite the U.S. economy logging two consecutive quarters of negative GDP – which typically indicates the economy is in a recession – other important indicators contradict this conclusion. Non-farm payrolls, personal consumption and real personal income have all continued to grow, if at slightly reduced rates, for much of the past six months.
- Kansas’ surprising abortion referendum victory indicates widespread political energy around the issue.
On the other hand:
- During one of the year’s busiest primary weeks, several Trump allies—particularly in Arizona and Michigan—saw victories, and others outperformed expectations.
- A number of Republican candidates who deny the outcome of the 2020 presidential election also won their primaries Tuesday night, securing nominations for governor, Congress, and other offices in Arizona, Michigan, and Missouri.
- Additionally, three of the ten GOP lawmakers who voted to impeach Trump were on the ballot Tuesday. Washington Representative Dan Newhouse (R-WA) eked out a victory, but Rep. Jamie Herrera Butler (R-WA) is facing defeat, while moderate freshman Representative Peter Meijer of Michigan was narrowly ousted in his primary.
- In last Tuesday’s only primary where two incumbents faced each other due to redistricting, moderate Rep. Haley Stevens (D) defeated progressive House colleague Rep. Andy Levin (D) in Michigan’s 11th District.
