IMMEDIATE RELEASE: October 6, 2018
Contact: [email protected]
IWV Statement: Midterm Election Results Show No “Blue Wave”
Washington, DC – Midterm election projections show Republicans maintaining control of the U.S. Senate, with Democrats taking control of the House of Representatives for the first time in eight years. Heather R. Higgins, CEO of Independent Women’s Voice and chairman of its sister organization Independent Women’s Forum, released the following statement:
“Republicans were facing enormous headwinds in this election: Just as traditionally happens after a new President takes office, the opposing party won seats in Congress. This is no surprise. That the Republicans were able to maintain control of the Senate (and expand their power) shows that there was no blue wave or a rejection of the direction of the country, but a modest and typical political fluctuation.
“Now the question is, will Democrats use their new power to try to work with the President – who has portrayed great willingness and skill at negotiating – to reduce red tape and help our economy continue to grow? Or are they solely going to use their power to resist, undermining the President by any means necessary?
“IWV is proud to have played a role in the election and IWF is proud to have helped shape people’s understanding of the issues. With a combined $1.8m in spending, IWF focused on policy education and IWV focused on persuasion in 21 states where there were deeply contested midterm races. Using mailers, phone calls, and text messages, IWF educated misinformed constituents about the real healthcare positions advanced by the GOP, and not those propagated by the left. IWV in turn linked candidates with those healthcare positions, ultimately leaving the choice of who to support up to voters. Our message testing materials, which countered the left’s claims and addressed misperceptions about healthcare, pre-existing conditions, and “Medicare-for-All”, significantly improved policy understanding and, without any mention of any candidate or party, as a corollary, moved non-conservative GOP females +9 points in tests on the ballot test.”
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Independent Women's Voice fights for women and families by effectively expanding support for policy solutions and political campaigns that aren’t just well intended, but actually enhance people’s freedom, choices, and opportunities.