The midterm results have concluded with plenty of movement going on in Capitol Hill. The 118th United States Congress will begin on January 3, 2023. Although not all races have not been officially called, the Republicans have a 207-184 lead in the House (218 is needed), and the Senate is tied at 49-48 (51 is needed for Republicans; 50 for Democrats).

After two years into a new presidency, history tells that the incumbent party struggles in the House. Although the Democrats are holding strong in the Senate, the House is falling down for the Democrats.

Incumbent Party Success in the House after Two Years into Presidential Term

Since 1950, only George W. Bush gained seats in the House for his party after two years into the presidency. All other U.S. presidents during that time have lost seats, with JFK and George H.W. Bush coming the closest to gaining seats. The last two of such elections have had big losses for the incumbent party. In 2010, the heavy Democratic losses were mainly due to opposition of the Affordable Care Act passing, along with a weak economic recovery from The Great Recession. In 2018, the Republican losses were partly attributed to concerns about health care, with the Democrats capitalizing on several electoral firsts for women, racial minorities and LGBT candidates. Major issues during the 2022 cycle are the economy, abortion, crime/gun violence, democracy, education, climate change, immigration, student loan forgiveness, Presidency of Joe Biden, and Russian invasion of Ukraine.

Here in 2022, America seems to have a similar attitude against the president as they did in 2010 and 2018. Joe Biden is at a 42.3% approval rating, with much of America losing faith in his leadership. Like Biden, both Obama and Trump had approval ratings in the lower 40’s at this time in their presidency.

Hampton Township Results

Pennsylvania Governor: In the Pennsylvania Gubernatorial election, Democrat Josh Shapiro won all 13 Hampton Township districts. Shapiro’s biggest win was in District 13 (Southwest Hampton surrounding Wildwood Gulf Club) with 60.4% of the vote. Republican Doug Mastriano’s closest loss was in District 4 (South Hampton surrounding Saint Ursula Church) with 44.7% of the vote. Shapiro won the election overall.

U.S. Senate: In the United States Senate election in Pennsylvania, Democrat John Fetterman won 9 of the 13 Hampton Township districts. Fetterman’s biggest win was in District 5 (Southwest Hampton surrounding Kuhn’s Market) with 54.4% of the vote. Republican Mehmet Oz’s biggest win was in District 2 (Northeast Hampton surrounding Home Depot) with 50.9% of the vote. Fetterman won the election overall.

U.S. House of Representatives: In the United States House of Representatives election in Pennsylvania District 17, Republican Jeremy Shaffer won 9 of the 13 Hampton Township districts. Shaffer’s biggest win was in District 2 (Northeast Hampton surrounding Home Depot) with 56.1% of the vote. Democrat Chris Deluzio’s biggest win was in District 12 (Central Hampton surrounding Parkwood United Presbyterian) with 51.9% of the vote. Deluzio won the election overall.

Pennsylvania Senate: In the Pennsylvania Senate District 38 election, Republican Lori Mizgorski won 11 of the 13 Hampton Township districts. Mizgorski’s biggest win was in District 9 (North Hampton surrounding PA Turnpike Exit 39/Butler Valley Tool Booth) with 56.0% of the vote. Democrat Lindsey Williams biggest win was in District 8 (East Hampton surrounding Hampton Township High School) with 51.0% of the vote. Williams won the election overall.

Pennsylvania House of Representatives: Hampton Township is split among District 28 in the East, and District 30 in the West for the Pennsylvania House of Representatives. In District 28, Republican Rob Mercuri defeated Democrat Alison Duncan 56.0% to 43.8%. In District 30, Democrat Arvind Venkat defeated Republican Cindy Kirk 55.1% to 44.8%.