Less than 48 hours after this week’s monumental midterm elections, with votes still being tallied in some key races, Beekeeper Group’s Managing Partner Alex Dickinson and Beekeeper EDGE Senior Advisor Danny Simons met via Zoom for “Processing the Midterm Results and What They Mean for Advocacy,” a candid conversation about what exactly happened, what’s next, and how advocacy professionals can adapt during this pivotal time.
According to a live poll during the session, half of the 90+ public affairs and advocacy professionals who attended expect this week’s results to place their organization on both offense and defense. That means now is the time for honing your message, identifying your champions, and narrowing down your legislative priorities. Let’s take a look at the four key takeaways from Thursday’s discussion as we head into the lame duck session.
Written by: Steven Miller
Senior Director of Business Development,
Beekeeper Group
1. Don’t assume everything you’re working on is dead.
While it’s tempting to focus on changes at the Federal level, Dickinson observed that it’s even more intriguing to look at what happened in state capitols nationwide. Places like Pennsylvania, where it has been notoriously difficult in the past for legislation to gain traction through both chambers of the General Assembly, are on the verge of a Democratic trifecta not seen in over 30 years.
This level of control creates a real opportunity for legislatures to enact reforms that would’ve been unthinkable just two years ago. Take a look at your federal priorities and ask yourself: Can these be applied to the state level? You may find legislators who are motivated, flexible, and searching for solutions that speak to their constituencies.
2. Get ready for new faces.
The 120th Congress could potentially see over 110 freshman members, making it the largest first-year class in 34 years. That means we could see something like 3,000 new staffers arriving on the Hill. With so much turnover, that’s going to mean a lot of introductions.
As one attendee noted, now is the time to get to know these legislators beyond their campaign ads. Understanding their backgrounds, their platforms, and their constituencies will be crucial in determining where and how you can work together. This isn’t a one-size-fits-all approach, either. Prepare your House and Senate plans separately, as they will have varying levels of focus and productivity while oversight and investigation play out.
It’s also worth detailing out your approach with newcomers. Over the next few weeks, these teams will receive an overwhelming number of messages. Be international about when you engage, how you explain yourself, and what partnership looks like for them. These freshmen members will appreciate a guide on your issues, not a salesperson.
Simons said it best: “Affordability is going to be the political filter.” Expect to see the Affordable Care Act, reversing Medicaid cuts, tariffs, and grocery prices all on the docket when the new class is sworn in.
3. There are many shades of blue.
Tuesday’s results span the complete spectrum of Democratic Party ideology, from “Mountain Democrats” in Appalachia to populist progressives in Texas and Michigan. Just like we saw with Conservatism a few years ago, the party label no longer denotes a predictable set of preferences and policies. That’s why it’s doubly important to understand a given legislator’s background before you’re in the room.
Speaking of James Talarico and other recently elected left-wing progressives, it will be interesting to see how they navigate coalition building with members of their own party and Republicans. Talarico spoke on this recently with CNN, saying “I will stand up to anyone I have to, to defend the people of Texas, and I will work with anyone I can, to help the people of Texas.”
It’s also important to note the almost cathartic public reaction that drove a lot of Tuesday’s results. Decisions are made based on emotion, and there’s no shortage of it right now. Keep your facts and your figures intact, but channel that storytelling appeal in your communications.
4. 2028 will be here before you know it.
Another 34 seats and counting (plus, you know, a presidency) will be up again in two short years. Add in the calendar creep from past presidential cycles, and it’s possible we’re only six to eight months from the next election season. Enjoy your brief respite, because we’re running this back again soon.
All of this adds up to a very short window for actual legislating. The clock has already started on this crop of winners’ reelection campaigns, and they know it. The faster you can approach them with real, actionable, substantive solutions, the better your chances at securing a quick win.
The session concluded with one of optimism: No matter your political beliefs, people are engaged and ready for action. Now is the time to channel that enthusiasm into your advocacy strategy, because legislators are already vocalizing their intentions as constituent-driven leaders.
Interested in learning more about how Beekeeper EDGE can help your organization navigate this new environment? View the entire webinar here or get in touch to schedule a complimentary 30-minute strategy session.
About Beekeeper EDGE
Beekeeper EDGE is Beekeeper Group’s new senior advisory service that provides upstream senior counsel to strengthen campaign execution. Clients engage EDGE as a standalone strategy engagement or as an embedded strategic layer within an existing Beekeeper relationship.
At its core, EDGE is a senior brain trust. We bring judgment, perspective, and disciplined planning to the moments when direction matters most. Learn more at edge.beekeepergroup.com.