Republicans assess losses after sweeping midterm defeats

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 13 Nov, 12:32 · Archive

Republicans are reassessing their approach after unexpected losses in midterm elections that will return Democratic control of the House and Senate.

Republicans are assessing what led to unexpected midterm losses that will return both chambers of Congress to Democratic control in January. Rep. Richard Hudson, chair of the House GOP's campaign arm, said Republicans had wanted a triumphant return to Capitol Hill but instead face clearing out their offices.

Hudson acknowledged that voters felt 'gas was too high, things were too expensive' and that Republicans 'didn't convey to them that we cared about that and cared about them'. Other Republicans expressed frustration that their party had lost touch with voters despite controlling the White House and Congress just two years earlier.

Republicans met behind closed doors to discuss what went wrong, with some pointing to specific policy decisions. One senator blamed the losses on cutting rural healthcare spending and abandoning pro-life voters, the poor, the needy and working people. Despite the depth of their defeat, Republicans showed little appetite for breaking with President Donald Trump. Instead they focused on pushing through as much of their agenda as possible before January.

How it is being reported

• Republicans dazed by midterm election defeats grapple with what went wrongRepublicans are grappling with unexpected losses after the midterm elections.Clickorlando · 13 Nov, 12:12
• Republicans dazed by midterm election defeats grapple with what went wrongRepublicans are grappling with unexpected losses after the midterm elections.News4Jax · 13 Nov, 12:12

In this story: Richard Hudson · Donald Trump · John Thune · House GOP · Democrats · Congress · Washington

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