What the Midterms Meant for Working-Class Candidates

Nicholas Carnes and Noam Lupu report that working-class candidates in the 2026 midterms performed similarly to other candidates. Simultaneously, the elections marked a historic milestone for representation in the United States. Keisha Lance Bottoms, David Crowley, and Byron Donalds are projected to become the first Black governors elected in Georgia, Wisconsin, and Florida, respectively. These results highlight both the consistent performance of working-class politicians and a significant shift in gubernatorial leadership across three states.