Historically, the midterm election cycle after a presidential election has gone poorly for the party in power — but the 2022 midterm elections seem like they might defy this longstanding rule. In a political environment ripe with a Republican advantage, poor decision-making by the Republican Party has effectively erased their lead and evened the playing field between parties heading into the midterms.

One way in which the Republican Party has squandered its midterm advantage is the numerous unpopular candidates that they have nominated. Republican U.S. Senate candidates such as Dr. Mehmet Oz and Herschel Walker have each had their fair share of controversies that have caused their respective races to swing Democratic.

The ongoing senate race between Democrat John Fetterman and Republican Dr. Oz is a great example of this phenomenon. Fetterman is not your traditional candidate — he stands at a towering 6-foot-8 and wears Carhartt sweatshirts and sneakers to campaign events rather than your classic suit and tie. He’s from small-town Pennsylvania and has built a grass-roots campaign focusing on working people. This stands in stark contrast to Dr. Oz, who has run a tumultuous campaign and is the farthest thing from a working-class man. Dr. Oz’s real estate portfolio has been a highlight in the race — he owns 10 houses, with his primary residence being in New Jersey until 2021. To the average Pennsylvanian, he is seen as elitist and far removed from their daily struggles. This is an enduring issue with many Republican candidates, who, despite their best efforts, are often unable to truly relate to the average American.

In comparison, Fetterman has spent the majority of his campaign traveling across Pennsylvania and talking with middle-class Americans about the bread-and-butter issues that matter to them most. He is personable and compassionate and comes across as very authentic. According to the latest polls, his strategy is working, with Pennsylvanians having a favorable view of Fetterman and a strong dislike of Dr. Oz. In a race that could have easily been competitive for Republicans, an out-of-touch candidate in Dr. Oz has sunken their chances of a win to the bottom of Lake Erie.

Another popular Senate race this midterm cycle is between Republican Herschel Walker and Democrat Raphael Warnock in Georgia. Warnock, the incumbent, is defending his senate seat from Republican newcomer Walker, a former pro football player. Walker is an unskilled politician with a lot left to learn. Due to this great inexperience, he has had numerous missteps throughout his campaign. His history of domestic assault and familial troubles have also reemerged, dealing major blows to his public image.

Walker also has a serious issue with public speaking. He rarely holds public events, and when he does, he does not seem to fully understand the issues facing Georgians. Listen to any speech that Walker has given and you’ll be left confused about his stance on important issues. In comparison, Warnock is a former preacher and an eloquent speaker who delivers powerful speeches. He has strong and clear positions on major issues and backs up his opinions with intelligent logic. The contrast could not be starker, and the polls show that Warnock’s strategy is working, with him leading Walker by five points. By nominating an unpopular and novice candidate like Walker, Republicans have again shifted a key race in the Democrats’ favor.

Another way that Republicans have managed to erase their midterm advantage is by taking very extreme stances on fundamental issues. Republicans have adopted unpopular views that the majority of Americans do not support on prominent issues.

One example of this is the Republican Party’s support of a national abortion ban. Recently, U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham introduced a bill to ban abortion nationally after 15 weeks, which dealt a major blow to Republicans’ midterm aspirations. This announcement has split the Republican Party, causing internal chaos. Many Republican candidates are afraid to support Graham’s bill, fearing retaliation from their voters. This is a highly unpopular opinion that the majority of the country opposes. According to the Pew Research Center, 61 percent of Americans believe that abortion should be legal in all or most cases. If the issue of abortion wasn’t on the midterm ballot before, Graham has ensured it is now.

Another unpopular Republican stance advocates for restrictions on Medicare and Social Security. Recently, Senator Rick Scott introduced a bill to “sunset” Medicare and Social Security every five years. This means that the senate would have to vote every five years to renew these critical social programs. Tens of millions of Americans rely on social security and Medicare in their daily lives, so it is not a surprise that this bill polls as extremely unpopular. Republicans need to stop proposing unpopular legislation that impacts their voters on such a personal level. These extreme proposals just go to show how out of touch the party is with mainstream America.

The midterms are anyone’s game, but unpopular candidates and extreme stances on key issues by Republicans have created a much more favorable environment for Democrats than was previously expected. These major missteps have essentially leveled the playing field between the two parties in a midterm year that should have been a home run for Republicans. Thanks to the Republican Party’s ongoing pitfalls, Democrats may have a fighting chance in this midterm election cycle.

Michael Toscano is a sophomore majoring in business administration.