The Lasting Impact of the 2014 Elections

            The 2014 midterm elections, regardless of party affiliation, signaled a significant change in government. While the change in majorities of both the Senate and the house are important, we cannot help but worry about the future of government. One of the major consequences of the elections is not the change in numbers itself, but what it means for the future elections such as the ones coming up in 2016. Though the 2014 midterm elections just ended, politicians throughout the country are already preparing for the upcoming elections in 2016. Both parties are beginning to come up with possible candidates to run for their parties, and prepare for the upcoming primaries in 2016.

Many of the candidates who were running for reelection during the midterm elections were considered to be potential candidates for the presidential election. Many of these potential presidential candidates were not reelected to Congress, which ultimately changes many possible outcomes of the presidential elections. Take George Allen for example; George Allen was the incumbent senatorial candidate in Virginia. In 2006 George Allen was thought to be a possible presidential candidate in the future presidential election. Those predictions of Allen being a presidential candidate ended very quickly when Allen didn’t get reelected in 2006 (Nyhan).

            It is very possible that the outcome of the 2014 elections could result in many situations similar to that of George Allen. Many democratic candidates who were running for reelection during the midterm elections were not reelected, and could have potentially been candidates for the 2016 presidential elections.  While it has become evident that Clinton will most likely be the leading candidate for the Democratic party in the presidential elections in 2016, with the influx of Republicans in Congress, it has slowly become more difficult for to look for Republican candidates for 2016 (Thomas). Election Day in 2016 is bound to be interesting due to the results of the past midterm election.

Nyhan, Brendan. "What 2014 Elections Can Tell Us About 2016: Not Much at All." The New York Times. The New York Times, 06 Nov. 2014. Web. 21 Nov. 2014.

Thomas, Ken, and Steve Peoples. "Here's How The GOP's Midterm Victories Are Shaping The 2016 Presidential Race." The Huffington Post. TheHuffingtonPost.com, 09 Nov. 2014. Web. 21 Nov. 2014.