D.C. Memo: The midterms were all about enthusiasm

WASHINGTON – As analysts pore over the results of the midterm election, one thing that has become apparent is that increased enthusiasm of the voters propelled the Democratic wave that swept the country. 

There is also evidence of a dampening of Republican enthusiasm for GOP candidates this year.

That can be most clearly seen in the 1^st Congressional District race, where Rep. Brad Finstad is trailing Democratic challenger Jake Johnson by 323 votes with the results likely headed for a recount.

In unofficial results, Finstad received 162,733 votes while Johnson received 163,056.

In 2024, when President Donald Trump was at the top of the GOP ticket, Finstad won 220,929 votes while his Republican challenger, Rachel Bohman, won 156,375. Finstad even outperformed Trump in the 1st D...