Island Vote: ‘Blue wave’ could change direction of Long Island

<p>Democrats are hoping a lot of their party members, unhappy with President Donald Trump's two years in office, will show up to vote next Tuesday.</p>

News 12 Staff

Oct 30, 2018, 9:41 PM

Updated 2,006 days ago

Share:

Democrats are hoping a lot of their party members, unhappy with President Donald Trump's two years in office, will show up to vote next Tuesday.
Many believe the unrest could affect races on Long Island, including the Democrats’ effort to take over the majority in the state Senate.
“There is a lot of unhappiness in the country, which I think clearly helps the Democrats, especially on Long Island,” says political analyst Jerry Kremer. “I think there's going to be a lot of people coming out who are going to change the direction of Long Island.”
Nationally, the odds are that Republicans will lose seats in Congress. Only two times since the 1930s, when Franklin Roosevelt was in the White House, has the president's party gained seats in the House and Senate in a midterm election. On average, the party that controls the White House loses 34 seats in Congress in a midterm election.
Hofstra University political science professor Richard Himelfarb says this election will be a “blue wave with a red undertow.”
“I think the Kavanaugh affair brought the president's supporters back to life,” says Himelfarb, over the harsh battle over the Supreme Court seat. “Republicans who had been previously unenthusiastic all of a sudden were ignited and are now ‘in’ even more than they were a month ago.”
Marguerite Lane, of Levittown, says she’s “disgusted” by the current political climate, and might not participate on Election Day.
“I just feel like it doesn't matter what we say or do anymore,” says Lane.


More from News 12
1:46
Hero doctor earns Heart Saver Award for saving soccer referee

Hero doctor earns Heart Saver Award for saving soccer referee

1:53
Scattered rain overnight on Long Island; sunny skies Sunday afternoon

Scattered rain overnight on Long Island; sunny skies Sunday afternoon

0:56
Islip Terrace fundraiser to benefit EMT on life support

Islip Terrace fundraiser to benefit EMT on life support

1:37
Manorville search related to Gilgo Beach case continues for fifth day

Manorville search related to Gilgo Beach case continues for fifth day

1:54
Arbor Day Festival at Planting Fields Arboretum marks 38th year

Arbor Day Festival at Planting Fields Arboretum marks 38th year

2:02
'Gains For Brains' girls lacrosse tournament raises awareness, funds for pediatric brain cancer research

'Gains For Brains' girls lacrosse tournament raises awareness, funds for pediatric brain cancer research

Mathew Barzal scores in 2nd OT as Islanders beat Hurricanes 3-2 to avoid series sweep

Mathew Barzal scores in 2nd OT as Islanders beat Hurricanes 3-2 to avoid series sweep

0:33
Delta plane lands at JFK due to emergency slide falling off

Delta plane lands at JFK due to emergency slide falling off

2:28
Doctors are seeing an increase in pickleball-related injuries. Here how to avoid them

Doctors are seeing an increase in pickleball-related injuries. Here how to avoid them

1:56
DEC: Delay in test results on soil, drums found at Bethpage park caused by technical issues at Grumman lab

DEC: Delay in test results on soil, drums found at Bethpage park caused by technical issues at Grumman lab

0:26
Officials: Bag of cocaine found during search of Melville restaurant

Officials: Bag of cocaine found during search of Melville restaurant

1:53
Shop Mother’s Day Gifts – Exclusive Offers Up to 75% OFF!

Shop Mother’s Day Gifts – Exclusive Offers Up to 75% OFF!

1:50
Selden man accused of abandoning dogs in state park

Selden man accused of abandoning dogs in state park

1:33
Disabled Army vet in Kings Park get new backyard with help from volunteers

Disabled Army vet in Kings Park get new backyard with help from volunteers

1:20
Police return to Manorville to continue search in connection to Gilgo Beach case

Police return to Manorville to continue search in connection to Gilgo Beach case

1:56
EXCLUSIVE: Police, K-9 search in North Sea at location of cold case murder

EXCLUSIVE: Police, K-9 search in North Sea at location of cold case murder

0:22
Suffolk County given $5M from federal gov't for construction of new bridge to Fire Island

Suffolk County given $5M from federal gov't for construction of new bridge to Fire Island

0:29
Halal food truck coming to Nassau Community College amid dining issues

Halal food truck coming to Nassau Community College amid dining issues

1:00
The East End: McCall Wines in Cutchogue

The East End: McCall Wines in Cutchogue

1:45
Long Island's largest car show returns to Tobay Beach this weekend

Long Island's largest car show returns to Tobay Beach this weekend