Flipping Senators
Critical Analysis
How many senators represent states that their party’s 2020 presidential candidate lost?
Are there more Republicans or Democrats who represent these “flipped” states?
Which Senator has pulled off the most “flipped” seat?
Why are there so few flipped senate seats?
What is one consequence of so few flipped senate seats?
Democratic Senator Joe Manchin has been opposed to or fought against many of President Biden’s policy proposals. Why would a Democrat like Joe Manchin oppose the president of his own party?
What would happen to much of Biden’s agenda and to the Senate majority if Manchin’s seat in West Virginia or Tester’s seat in Montana were held by Republicans?
In the past, many more senators were in flipped seats than today. Why is that?
Make a claim as to whether having so few flipped seats is good for the American political system.
If you were the Republican party, what Senators would you target in future elections?
Learning Extension
Read David Leonhardt’s Morning newsletter where he writes about the impact of flipped seat senators like Manchin and Collins.
Action Extension
Find out how the U.S. Senators in your state compare to the margin of victory of their party’s 2020 presidential candidate in their state and share your research in class or online.
