I have always voted Republican (the only Democrat I was even close to voting for was Andrew Yang), and although I am disappointed that the red wave turned out to be a red ripple, in many ways I am pleased. I point the loss squarely at Trump. He is a disgrace. And he is dangerous. I want him out. I’m hoping this midterm election loss may finally allow the party to give Mr. Trump, along with his wild conspiracies, denialism, narcissism and provocative antics, the boot.
Long term, I am hoping that Ron DeSantis can win a presidential victory in 2024. He is smart, articulate, bold, principled and a veteran. He pushes back on progressive orthodoxy. I hope his election will force Democrats to look at themselves and force them to finally push away their dislikable and threatening obsession with wokeism. — Andres Gonzales, 32, Republican, Austin, Texas
I would like to see a populist or centrist, white, Christian, heterosexual man who can appeal to Republicans run — and I’m a progressive, atheist woman. To run against Trump we need a nominee that can get the crossover voters. Give me Andy Beshear, Jon Tester or Mark Kelly. We need to be pragmatic, sacrifice “me” for “we.” — Jane Martin Buckley, 62, Democrat, Louisville, Ky.
Any Republican who stands up against Trump appeals to me. I’ve voted Republican my whole life, but I refuse to vote for him or anyone who supports him. — Tom MacMillan, 63, Republican, Illinois
My ideal candidate would be plain-spoken, direct and even blunt. Zero political-speak and zero clichés. Tough and not afraid to tell the unvarnished truth about our problems and what we must do to solve them, even if it offends or alienates some. Folks yearn for that. Trump gets it but his directness is all lies. Imagine if it was the truth. — Ron Kammann, 77, Democrat, San Francisco
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