Media Messages in the 2022 Midterm Election

There is a paucity of research on communication and midterm elections in the field of political communication, pointing up a lack of knowledge of the agenda dynamics of midterms, the impact of media frames, and how media and politics intersect to influence voter choices in Congressional elections. In this edited volume, John Allen Hendricks and Dan Schill help redress this imbalance by focusing on the critical 2022 midterm elections, with chapters organized around how conspiracy theories, media frames, and news narratives influenced the campaign trajectory. Given the political importance of the 2022 midterms, this book goes a long way toward illuminating our knowledge of how media messages – based on both legitimate issues and conspiratorial ideation – influenced the contours of the campaign.

Richard M. Perloff, Distinguished Professor of Communication and Political Science, Cleveland State University

The 2022 Midterm Election was something of a puzzle — until this book came along. In its pages, accomplished and promising scholars offer fascinating studies regarding political communication via traditional and new media channels. This book offers vital findings regarding the continuing evolution of campaign discourse in our highly volatile political era.

Stephen J. Farnsworth, Ph.D, Professor of Political Science and International Affairs, University of Mary Washington

The book’s lineup of distinguished scholars illuminate the complex interplay between candidate strategies, traditional media, new media, and voter preferences. A must-read for anyone – scholar, student, practitioner, or citizen - seeking to understand the media’s evolving election role.

Thomas E. Patterson, Bradlee Professor of Government & the Press, Harvard University