It's A Numbers Game with Ryan Girdusky It's a Numbers Game: The Numbers Behind the Democratic Wave: Why Republicans Struggled in Key 2025 Elections
Nov 6, 2025
Zachary Donnini, a data scientist and election analyst, shares his insights on the Democratic wave in recent elections. He reveals the impact of low Republican turnout and high Democratic engagement in key states. The discussion highlights how candidate quality and party loyalty influenced outcomes, especially in New York City's mayoral race. Donnini analyzes shifts in voter demographics, including the surprising decline of support for Cuomo among minority voters. Their conversation also touches on the significance of youth turnout and social media in mobilizing progressive voters.
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Turnout Patterns Drove The Wave
- Low Republican turnout in many non-high-profile races significantly hurt GOP down-ballot performance.
- High turnout among college-educated whites and motivated Democrats amplified the Democratic wave.
Paid Door-Knockers Found Unaware Voters
- Ryan described paid door-knockers finding many Republicans unaware an election was happening.
- He used Georgia vote-timing and low engagement as concrete evidence of weak GOP turnout.
Bad Top Ticket Plus National Drag
- Candidate quality and national context combined to create local blowouts, e.g., Winsome Sears in Virginia.
- Incumbent-party fatigue and a government shutdown intensified anti-GOP sentiment there.