With this year’s election in the books, we are exploring the impact of local race results as we look ahead to 2024. JoDee Kenney talked with Jacob Neiheisel, a University at Buffalo political science professor, who said, despite Republican Carmella Mantello winning the Troy mayoral race and the party picking up some seats in the Hamburg Town Council, Democrats had a more successful 2023. When it comes to congressional races, Neiheisel said it may be too early to tell whether redistricting’s impact on the midterms will carry into the coming year. With all eyes on the race for the White House, Neiheisel gave some historical perspective on current polling that may not paint an accurate picture of who voters will ultimately support. With a Republican primary heating up, Neiheisel said, while Former President Donald Trump may not be prohibited from running as he faces felony charges, anything that pulls a candidate’s focus from campaigning can have a negative effect.

You can watch the full interview with Jacob Neiheisel in the video player above. And be sure to tune in for a look inside the biggest issues impacting upstate New York on In Focus with JoDee Kenney every Sunday on Spectrum News 1.