Economic Concerns Drive Midterm Election Victories, Expert Says

SANTA MONICA, Calif., Nov. 10, 2026 /CourierPR/ -- While Democrats celebrated a series of midterm election victories, consumer expert Dr. Ines Poza of Poza Consulting Services cautioned against hasty conclusions. Poza pointed out that the 2024 presidential election results, where voters, including a significant number of Latinos, believed that voting for Donald Trump would lead to a better economy, did not materialize. According to a Gallup poll conducted just before the 2024 election, 90% of voters cited the economy as the primary factor influencing their vote, well ahead of concerns about democracy.

Similarly, a study by Entravision/Altamed/BSP found that close to 90% of Latinos in California and Texas prioritized the cost of living, jobs, and the economy as their top concerns. Poza emphasized that under the Trump administration, the cost of living increased, making life more expensive for many. This economic reality opened the door for the Democratic Party, much like it did in the 2024 election.

However, Poza noted that the Democratic victory was not solely due to ideological differences. Instead, it was driven by voter frustration and a sense of betrayal over the rising cost of living. She highlighted that candidates like Abdul El Sayed of Michigan and James Talarico of Texas did not win on ideology but by clearly addressing the economic pain of their constituents and promising to advocate on their behalf.

Dr. Poza also criticized the Democratic leadership for not fully grasping the economic concerns of voters. She pointed out that candidates who focused on affordability for all, such as Scott Colom of Mississippi, Annie Andrews of South Carolina, and Keisha Lance Bottoms of Georgia, were the ones who resonated most with voters. These candidates understood that the issue of corruption only gained traction when it was linked to the widening economic gap between the rich and the rest of the population.

Poza concluded that the Democratic leadership, particularly Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, needed to shift their focus from divisive rhetoric and embrace the economy as the primary issue. She argued that the new breed of Democratic candidates, who made affordability for all their battle cry, were the ones who truly understood the economic concerns of the electorate.