Los Medanos College Political Science Professor Ryan Hiscocks explained to a large audience Nov. 1 predictions about which candidates are likely to win in the 2022 midterm election Nov. 8. 

The presentation, Do the Math: Voting Patterns and the Midterm Election, was the fourth in a series of pre-election events co-sponsored by the LMC Social Science Department, the LMC Library and the Honors Program. 

During the presentation, Hiscocks answered questions like, “What is the New American Majority of people of color, young voters and single women?” 

 He responded “people your age are typically democrat,” and then explained the trend that more women have been casting ballots, and there has also been a spike of people of color voting since 2016.

Hiscocks briefly showed a diagram of different age groups and the voting trends, and noted there was a peak of Gen Z voters in the 2016 elections.

As for predictions for this year’s midterm elections, Hiscocks explained, “It is really difficult to make a rock solid prediction,” and added he is “basically translating what people have already said.” 

He noted that, typically, a president’s political party usually loses in midterm elections and based on history, the democratic party should lose. To support that prediction, Hiscocks displayed President Joe Biden’s approval ratings, which have been as low as 40%. As a result, he explained that the The Republican Party is “running hard on inflation and Joe Biden,” and that “The republicans want you to vote on food prices and gas prices.” 

In conclusion, Hiscocks said that Republicans are favored to win the House of Representatives, but the U.S Senate is an absolute coin toss.

Hiscocks wrapped up by urging students to vote and reminding them that it is not too late to vote, because California allows same-day registration.