Vice President JD Vance posted a direct assessment Wednesday morning after Republicans suffered sweeping losses in the 2026 midterms. In Virginia and across the country, the party came up short. Vance wrote that the main problem was not turnout. Many people who voted for the Trump-Vance ticket in 2024 voted for Democrats in 2026.
The top reason cited in the data he referenced was the war in Iran. Cost of living and inflation ranked second. Putting America first and changing the relationship with Israel followed. Vance noted that in some states turnout was solid or even strong, yet the composition of the electorate showed former supporters crossing over.
President Trump had said earlier that he would have won in a landslide if he had been on the ballot. Every midterm for a decade has functioned as a referendum on the former president. Vance’s post treats the Iran conflict as the clear political cost. The host notes that Trump described the military action as short-lived when it began. The conflict stretched through the midterms and weighed on conservative candidates exactly as many had feared.
Affordability remains unresolved for middle-class households. Grocery prices, gasoline, and electricity continue to stretch family budgets. The host lists other second-term priorities that remain unfulfilled: codifying DOGE cuts, arrests related to COVID and the laptop, the SAVE Act, fraud prevention, and sustained deportations. While long-term energy gains in the Strait of Hormuz remain possible, the immediate message from voters was the economy.
In Virginia the host highlights the passage of the abortion amendment. Exit polling showed 63 percent yes to 38 percent no. Male voters split nearly evenly. Female voters favored Democrats 60 percent. White men leaned Republican 53 percent. White women leaned Democrat 52 percent. Black men voted Democrat 86 percent. Youth turnout ages 18 to 29 reached 73 percent Democrat, up from 54 percent in 2024. The host argues that codifying abortion until birth devalues human life and begins a spiral. Viewers have called the result heartbreaking and demonic.
Nick Freitas posted that his party was crushed but he will not flee to Canada or trash the country. Spencer Pratt criticized the consultant class and ranked-choice systems after his Los Angeles race. The host notes ongoing tight races in Virginia’s 1st District between Rob Wittman and Shannon Taylor and in the 5th where John McGuire claimed victory over Tom Perriello.
The close is a call to begin the work today: love the state, the commonwealth, the country, children, family, and God. Share, subscribe, and sign up for the free email newsletter at VirginiaInsider.com.
SOURCES:
Virginia Department of Elections unofficial results on constitutional amendments (https://enr.elections.virginia.gov/)
