What’s behind the devastating midterm election results? 

In his daily update, Gary Bauer wrote: “The economy, the cost of living and affordability were the dominant issues.” 

Some voters blame President Trump. Others cite the Iran War. 

I live in Texas. Here, certain folks say our state’s wipeout is due to "all those California transplants." And some think there was fraud or cheating.

But the factor that resonates most with me is the one Senator Ted Cruz laid out the day after the election. He said the constituencies that President Trump and Republicans attracted in 2016 and 2024 are disappointed and feel betrayed by the economic pain they’re experiencing. 

That loose coalition is composed of blue-collar workers, evangelicals, farmers and ranchers, young people, and Hispanics.

Blue collar voters were turned off by high prices for energy and groceries. (But, if promised tax increases are enacted, Americans will have less money to afford these things. And the Left’s energy agenda will make gas more expensive.)

White evangelicals make up about 25 percent of voters in most elections. They accounted for 17 percent in this one. 

Of rural America, Senator Cruz says, farmers and ranchers shifted ”hard blue.”

Between 2020 and 2024, Gen Z voters swung right by more than 20 points. Surveys show many young voters have swung back left.

And Senator Cruz laments, too many Hispanics who voted red in ‘24 “went back Democrat.“

Will this be a permanent realignment? One official in President Trump’s political operation told the Daily Signal this is not a realignment. “It’s a punishment election. We got punished.”

Some painful policies need revamping. Others will take more time to bear fruit.