Midterm voters clearly wanted to make America nice again
This story appeared in Today, Explained, a daily newsletter that helps you understand the most compelling news and stories of the day. As the dust from Tuesday’s elections continues to settle, Republicans are looking around their shrunken ranks and wondering precisely where they went wrong on this one. President Donald Trump, who’s been generally (and surprisingly) […]
Midterm elections in 2026 highlighted a clear voter desire to return to a more kinder America, according to observers. Republican candidates faced criticism over cruelty, corruption, and uninspiring campaigns, while Democrats ran on platforms of "radical love," mercy, and kindness. Democratic Senate candidate Adam Hamilton won by 5 points after running on these values.
The midterms demonstrated that many voters are repulsed by meanness, incivility, and cruelty in politics, even if they support border security measures. While some traditional GOP jerks were elected, many voters rejected candidates with morally questionable pasts or ugly attack ads. The nation may be entering a new era where "the nice guys...do sometimes win," though it remains to be seen if this trend will last with the upcoming 2028 primary season.
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