Recent special elections bode well for DemocratsSubscribeEnterpriseLog inMenuSkip to contentSubscribeEnterpriseLog inMenuThe world in briefCatch up on global daily news1843 magazineDive into compelling long readsPodcastsTune into engaging conversationsVideoWatch engaging short filmsDigital eventsGain insights from expertsNewslettersCurated news, direct to your inboxCurrent topicsWar in the Middle EastWar in UkraineThe World Ahead 2025Climate changeGeopoliticsThe world economyArtificial intelligenceUS presidential trackerCurrent topicsWar in the Middle EastWar in UkraineThe World Ahead 2025Climate changeGeopoliticsThe world economyArtificial intelligenceUS presidential trackerWorldWorldThe world this weekChinaUnited StatesEuropeBritainMiddle East & AfricaAsiaThe AmericasInternationalBusiness & economicsBusiness & economicsFinance & economicsBusinessBig Mac indexEconomic & financial indicatorsOpinionOpinionLeadersLetters to the editorBy InvitationIn depthIn depthScience & technologyBriefingGraphic detailInteractivesThe Economist explainsSpecial reportsTechnology QuarterlyEssaySchools briefCulture & societyCulture & societyCultureThe Economist readsObituaryWeekly editionWeekly editionThis weekPast editionsWeekly editionThe world in briefWar in the Middle EastWar in UkraineThe world economyArtificial intelligenceClimate changeArchive 1945German election 2025Dateline quizMy EconomistUnlimited digital access to all reporting, podcasts, newsletters and eventsSubscribeSUBSCRIBER BENEFITSPodcastsNewslettersVideoLive virtual eventsThe Economist appEspresso appSaved storiesAccountLog outUnited States | Campaign calculus: mini-landslidesRecent special elections bode well for DemocratsThey can help in predicting general electionsPhotograph: AP Sep 25th 2024ShareIf Republicans were about to experience a breakthrough among black voters, as some polls had suggested, New Jersey’s tenth congressional district (which includes Newark) might be a place to start. Around half its residents are black. But in the special election on September 18th to fill the district’s vacant House seat the Democratic candidate, LaMonica McIver, won in a landslide. She defeated her opponent by 81% to 16%—a larger margin than President Joe Biden managed there in 2020.Explore moreThe US elections of 2024ElectionsDonald TrumpUnited StatesKamala HarrisThis article appeared in the United States section of the print edition under the headline “The meaning of mini-landslides”United States September 28th 2024Kamala Harris is outspending Donald Trump. Will it matter?Eric Adams, New York’s mayor, is indicted on bribery chargesRecent special elections bode well for DemocratsMark Robinson has hijacked his own campaign in North CarolinaKamalamania and the drive for abortion rights are a potent mixAmerica’s growing row over policies for transgender prisonersWhat J.D. Vance is learning from Donald TrumpFrom the September 28th 2024 editionDiscover stories from this section and more in the list of contentsExplore the editionShareReuse this contentMore from United StatesIs Elon Musk’s war on fraud just cover for a power grab?America’s government has a big problem, but DOGE’s approach is unlikely to fix itSo far, mass deportation has been more rhetoric than realityA raid in New Jersey highlights the barriers Donald Trump facesChecks and Balance newsletter: Donald Trump’s pick-and-choose federalismNot so long ago Republicans were advocates of giving states more powerHow Bob Dylan broke freeThe biopic “A Complete Unknown” tells only part of the storyElon Musk has been pushed out of the TreasuryBut court filings reveal quite how deep DOGE gotWhat happened next at USAIDA textbook case of how not to cut wasteful government spendingLinkedInInstagramFacebookXTikTokYouTubeWhatsAppGet The Economist app on iOS or AndroidThe EconomistThe EconomistAboutReuse our contentSubscribeEconomist EnterpriseSecureDropThe Economist GroupThe Economist GroupThe Economist GroupEconomist IntelligenceEconomist ImpactEconomist Impact EventsEconomist Education CoursesContactContactHelp and supportAdvertisePress centreCareersCareersWorking hereExecutive JobsTo enhance your experience and ensure our website runs smoothly, we use cookies and similar technologies.Manage cookiesTerms of usePrivacyCookie PolicyAccessibilityModern Slavery StatementSitemapYour Data RightsCopyright © The Economist Newspaper Limited 2025. All rights reserved.


That's good, but just because they won those special elections in a landslide doesn't mean you can just stay home expecting the same results. Please register ASAP and make your voices heard in the early polls/on election day.