GOP Leaders Predict Trump Could Be First Republican to Win NY and NJ in Decades Following Biden’s Debate Misstep

NEW YORK – President Biden’s debate performance has energized GOP leaders in New York and New Jersey, who now believe that former President Donald Trump might become the first Republican to win these states in four decades.

Even though winning these traditionally blue states remains a challenge, party insiders and independent analysts anticipate that Trump will perform well enough in the suburbs to help Republican House incumbents retain their seats from the 2022 elections and potentially even make gains.

“Trump can win New York just like Ronald Reagan did in 1980,” stated Ed Cox, chairman of the New York State Republican Party.

A recent poll by Siena College showed Trump trailing Biden by only 8 percentage points in New York, with 47% to Biden’s 39%. This survey was conducted a week before the June 25 debate.

An insider from Trump’s campaign mentioned that internal polling indicates the race in New Jersey is a “toss-up.” Trump’s rally in Wildwood, New Jersey, in May attracted 100,000 supporters.

Cox pointed out that Reagan won due to “stagflation” under then-Democratic President Jimmy Carter, and similarly, many voters are now suffering from “Bidenflation.”

“New York, a Democratic stronghold for decades, is within reach for Trump. The conditions are ripe for political realignment with New York as part of a Trump victory,” he said. “While New York is a blue state, it is more blue-collar blue than Upper West Side blue.”

Cox also highlighted that Trump’s campaign focus on issues like the border-migrant crisis, the economy, and crime is resonating with frustrated blue-leaning voters in the northeast.

“Biden’s debate performance hurts the Democrats in New York running for swing seats,” commented O’Brien “O.B.” Murray, a campaign strategist with experience working for both Republicans and Democrats.