Three take­aways from a rough 2023 elec­tion for the GOP

The 2023 elec­tion proved to be a bruis­ing night for Repub­li­cans, as Democ­rats scored major vic­to­ries in Vir­ginia, New Jer­sey, and Ken­tucky.
With the pres­i­den­cy, along with con­trol of the Sen­ate and House of Rep­re­sen­ta­tives on the bal­lot for vot­ers across the coun­try in less than 12 months, here are the take­aways from the off-year elec­tion tee­ing up what is expect­ed to be a piv­otal 2024 elec­tion.
DEMOCRATS SPOOKED AFTER BIDEN SHOCK POLL AND FRET TRUMP WHITE HOUSE COMEBACK
Bad news for Youngkin
Gov. Glenn Youngk­in’s (R‑VA) hopes of hav­ing a GOP tri­fec­ta in Rich­mond were dashed on Tues­day, when Democ­rats held onto the state Sen­ate and regained con­trol of the House of Del­e­gates. The bat­tle to take con­trol of both cham­bers was an uphill bat­tle for Repub­li­cans, but two years after Youngk­in’s upset vic­to­ry against for­mer Demo­c­ra­t­ic Gov. Ter­ry McAu­li­ffe the GOP was hop­ing to flip the state back ful­ly to Repub­li­cans.
The 2023 elec­tions in the com­mon­wealth had been viewed as a test of the gov­er­nor’s influ­ence in the Old Domin­ion, and with the Demo­c­rat wins he will face a dif­fi­cult task pass­ing agen­da items in his last two years in office. Due to state law, Youngkin will not be allowed to run f …