Mark your calendars! A new year is right around the corner, and it’s not just any year – it’s a Midterm Election Year. WOOOO 🎉🎉🎉
Too often, people in the public affairs arena write off election years – especially midterms – thinking not much will get done as everyone spends more time posturing for an election rather than governing and passing policies. But because of that posturing ahead of November, and the fact that lawmakers are more in tune to top-of-mind voter issues, it can mean that ideas you support or oppose could grow serious legs after an election.
So for any organization looking to influence policy, shape public opinion, or manage reputational risk, this high-stakes election environment is not a time to retreat—it’s the perfect moment for a proactive, intelligent public affairs campaign.
Here’s why midterm years are the ideal time to craft your message, build coalition support, and grow momentum for your cause.
Reflect on Why Your Issue Matters to Voters.
Looking ahead to 2026, one of the top issues that voters and politicians will be focused on is the cost of living. Families, businesses, seniors and everyone in between are feeling the pinch of rising costs and reduced buying power. Whether your issue is supply chain problems or permitting reform or health care accessibility, crafting messaging that weaves together your perspective with top-of-mind voter priorities will move the needle for your issue.
In short, advancing a smart public affairs campaign can frame your position as a common-sense solution to a real public concern.
Create Coalitions When People are Naturally More Engaged.
From reporters to grassroots activists, more attention is paid to top election-year issues. When you can tie your public affairs campaign effectively to larger narratives, it’s easier to get more people engaged with the issue you care about, grow meaningful support for your cause, and secure more media coverage.
Even if you don’t expect your issue to pass in 2026, creating meaningful support and a diverse coalition for your priority now will set you up for greater success in 2027. People are more engaged in an election year, and it’s essential to take advantage of that.
Opposing an Issue? Bad Ideas Have a Way of Coming Back.
Just as often as folks are fighting for an issue, they’re fighting against policies that can harm their business, association or community. Politicians may advance some bad ideas during an election year because they think it will play well with voters and their constituency.
Creating coalitions, talking to media, engaging the public, and executing a dynamic public affairs campaign in a mid-term year, means you will have more ammunition to fight against campaign promises that will have a negative impact on your industry or community.
Doing the public affairs work in a midterm year means you will be in a much better position to fight in 2027, or perhaps even kill an issue before it gains too much momentum altogether.
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Want help planning what your public affairs campaign can look like in 2026? Reach out to me at ct@k2andcompany.com.