Midterm elections play a major role in determining the political direction of the United States. These elections determine who represents voters in Congress, shapes federal spending, and exercises oversight of the executive branch. Both parties compete for control of the House of Representatives and Senate. Predictions, hopes and fears expressed by Fords were widely intriguing. Rex Riley said, ‘I think the Republicans will lose the House, but might be able to hold onto the Senate’.
Democrats gained control of the House of Representatives following the 2026 midterm elections. They also flipped the Senate, winning seats in historically Republican states such as Texas and Iowa. In Pennsylvania, Democrats won 11 seats, including four highly competitive districts. Republicans lost seats overall but retained representation in both chambers of Congress.
Political beliefs also shape conversations within school communities, particularly Haverford. Interviews with several Haverford students revealed a range of political beliefs, with some placing greater importance on personal values than party affiliation. Several interviewed students expressed political beliefs that did not fit neatly within either major party.
When asked about their political affiliations, students gave varied answers. Some leaned toward a major party without fully identifying with it, while one described themselves as independent. Other students expressed support for individual candidates whose positions aligned with their personal beliefs. Grant Itin ’27 said he wants “hands-off economics, with fewer regulations. I care about preserving democracy and our constitutional freedoms.”
Students should feel free to form their own political opinions rather than being pressured to identify with a particular party.
Differences in students’ political interests and beliefs can strengthen discussions within the Haverford community.
I believe personal ideals should come before party loyalty. Students should feel free to form their own political opinions rather than being pressured to identify with a particular party. Haverford should encourage students to develop their own political beliefs, creating an environment where different perspectives can be discussed and challenged.
That doesn’t mean students should avoid party affiliations. I appreciated the range of reactions students had to the midterms. Some students followed the elections closely, while others were less familiar with the candidates and issues. These different perspectives contribute to a more varied political environment at Haverford. No two students approach politics in the same way, which makes Haverford an interesting place for political discussion. I enjoyed hearing how different students’ beliefs influenced their views of the midterms.
One of Haverford’s strengths is that students can engage in meaningful political discussions even when they have different levels of knowledge or interest.
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