Insider analysis: The Iron Range, the President, and the 8th

WDIO is going in-depth on the midterm elections, offering analysis from Jim Stauber and Roger Reinert.

We posed the following questions to get their thoughts before voters cast their ballots on Nov. 8:

• Minnesota’s Iron Range has traditionally been a Democratic stronghold but has been trending from blue to red. Why are voters in this election cycle seeming to lean more Republican on the Iron Range?
• Polling and people are talking about a “red wave” coming in this midterm election. We’ll see what happens on Election Day. But part of the problem for Democrats is that President Biden’s approval rating is not strong. According to the Oct. 20 Pew Research Center survey, a majority of U.S. adults (59%) say they disapprove of the way Biden is handling his job as president. Thirty-eight percent approve of the president’s performance thus far. Is the almost 60 percent disapproval rating part of what is driving this potential red wave? Will this election be a referendum on President Biden’s performance?
• In the 8th congressional district race between U.S. Rep. Pete Stauber (R) and state Rep. Jen Schultz (D), Schultz is putting up a strong fight. Can she win?

To see more of WDIO’s midterm election coverage, click here.