Why the pandemic may not be 'a game changer' for Republicans or Democrats in 2022


Although the pandemic has yet to come to an end, its "political shelf life" — and thus sway with voters — may soon be expiring, Politico writes.
In fact, strategists on both sides of the aisle have begun "advising candidates to shift their focus" ahead of midterms away from the pandemic, while political advertising related to COVID has already "fallen off sharply from earlier this year," Politico writes.
"Everybody's just ready to move on," said Julie Roginsky, a former adviser to New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy (D) who is up for re-election on Tuesday. Voters, she said, have "reverted back to the issues they've always cared about, which had been put on pause for the past 18 months."
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
For Democrats, improving pandemic conditions coupled with public fatigue "takes away a great issue," argued Ben Tribbett, a party strategist. COVID has become a key tenant of Democrats' platform; without the health crisis, they might lose valuable public sentiment.
And that isn't necessarily good news for Republicans either, Politico writes. For "more than a year," GOP candidates and lawmakers have appealed to their base by lambasting vaccine mandates and shirking health restrictions; in fact, governors like South Dakota's Kristi Noem (R) "have built entire profiles on their anti-restriction policies ahead of potential presidential runs in 2024," Politico notes. As both health measures and public opinion relax, "the intensity of Republican opposition" likely will, as well.
Minnesota Republican strategist Greg Peppin said he has been advising GOPers in his state to find new talking points, considering COVID likely won't "be a game changer" in 2022.
"I just don't think you're going to be able to ride COVID to the governor's mansion," he told Politico. "Most people are over it."
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Brigid Kennedy worked at The Week from 2021 to 2023 as a staff writer, junior editor and then story editor, with an interest in U.S. politics, the economy and the music industry.
-
Gandhi arrests: Narendra Modi's 'vendetta' against India's opposition
The Explainer Another episode threatens to spark uproar in the Indian PM's long-running battle against the country's first family
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK
-
How the woke right gained power in the US
Under the radar The term has grown in prominence since Donald Trump returned to the White House
By Chas Newkey-Burden, The Week UK
-
Codeword: April 24, 2025
The Week's daily codeword puzzle
By The Week Staff
-
Musk vows DOGE pullback as Tesla profits plunge
Speed Read The Tesla SEO says he will soon step back from government matters to devote more time to the company
By Peter Weber, The Week US
-
IMF sees slump from tariffs, Trump tries to calm markets
Speed Read The International Monetary Fund predicts the U.S. and global economies will slow significantly due to the president's trade war
By Peter Weber, The Week US
-
DHS chief Kristi Noem's purse stolen from eatery
Speed Read Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem's purse was stolen while she dined with family at a restaurant in Washington, D.C.
By Peter Weber, The Week US
-
Trump stands by Hegseth amid ouster reports
Speed Read The president dismissed reports that he was on the verge of firing Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth over a second national security breach
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US
-
'From his election as pope in 2013, Francis sought to reform'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Justin Klawans, The Week US
-
Hegseth reportedly shared war plans in 2nd group text
Speed Read The defense secretary sent information about an attack in Yemen to a Signal group chat that included his wife and brother
By Peter Weber, The Week US
-
The anger fueling the Bernie Sanders and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez barnstorming tour
Talking Points The duo is drawing big anti-Trump crowds in red states
By Joel Mathis, The Week US
-
Judge threatens Trump team with criminal contempt
Speed Read James Boasberg attempts to hold the White House accountable for disregarding court orders over El Salvador deportation flights
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US