Axios Live: GOP super PAC exec acknowledged "headwinds" as polls closed
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Senate Leadership Fund's Alex Latcham with Axios' Stef Kight on stage at a Nov. 3 Axios Live event. Photo: Denny Henry for Axios
WASHINGTON — Senate Leadership Fund executive director Alex Latcham said Republicans faced voter-enthusiasm and affordability headwinds as polls began closing Tuesday, hours before a Democratic wave cost the GOP control of Congress.
Why it matters: SLF and affiliated groups spent $810 million to preserve GOP Senate control, money that ultimately could not counteract voter backlash to President Trump's handling of the economy and the Iran war.
Axios' Stef Kight and Hans Nichols spoke with Aspen Institute Congressional Program executive director and vice president and former U.S. Rep. Charlie Dent (R-Pa.), Latcham and Center Aisle Coalition president and former U.S. Rep. Stephanie Murphy (D-Fla.). The Nov. 3 event was sponsored by Kalshi.
What they're saying: "Republicans … face some headwinds in motivation and enthusiasm to get our base out to vote," Latcham said. "We also face headwinds in how voters perceive our handling on the economy, on inflation, affordability."
Yes, but: Murphy warned that Democrats could mistake a victory for a sweeping mandate and lose sight of voters' economic concerns.
- "We should govern and address … the issues that the American people are challenged with today, which is around affordability," she said.
What's next: As Trump's unpopularity grows, Dent said the 2028 Republican presidential nominee would likely need to be someone with distance from the president.
- "Everybody seems to think the conventional wisdom is [Vice President] JD Vance is the guy. Well, I got news for you: If the president's approval rating is in the 30s, and JD Vance is so tied to the president as he is … how do you separate yourself?" Dent said.
Content from the sponsor's segment:
In a View From the Top conversation, Kalshi co-founder and CEO Tarek Mansour argued that prediction markets are able to provide up-to-date election insights.
- "I think that in '28, I certainly feel that, like, anyone who's not using prediction markets to get informed is going to be left behind," Mansour said.
