Catch the Wave: Voter Discontent During Wave Elections

William G. McGowan Theater
Washington, DC

Are the 2018 midterms going to be a wave election? While the party controlling the White House traditionally loses congressional seats during midterm elections, there are numerous instances of wave elections, where one party suffers an extraordinary turnover. In partnership with the U.S. Association of Former Members of Congress, we present a bipartisan panel of Representatives who either exited or entered Congress as part of a wave. Moderated by Roll Call journalist David Hawkings, panelists include former members of Congress: Governor James Blanchard (D-MI); Ann Marie Buerkle (R-NY); Marjorie Margolies (D-PA); Tom Davis (R-VA), and political analyst John Ashford. The panel will discuss the political climate preceding the election, their experience campaigning during uncertain political times, and the impact for newly elected members who had to achieve the change the voters demanded. While the discussion will focus on past elections, lessons learned will be applied to the November 6, 2018, midterms.