In Conversation with Andrew Bates, Managing Director in the Advisory Practice at Orchestra and Davey McKissick, Senior Vice President, Glen Echo Group.

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Last week’s midterm elections saw historic results: the Democrats won the House, flipped the Senate and gained five governorships. With so much change, it’s important not to panic, but to be prepared for what may shift.

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While we’re still waiting for several key races to be called, Orchestra Advisory Practice Managing Director Andrew Bates and Glen Echo Group Senior Vice President Davey McKissick discuss their early takeaways from the midterms, the potential for new coalitions and why organizations should focus on building relationships that extend beyond Washington.

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What is your biggest takeaway from this election?

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Davey: My biggest takeaway is that policymakers need to deliver on the issues affecting people’s everyday lives. Affordability and pocketbook concerns were central to this election. When voters don’t feel that Washington is making their lives better, messages that pit groups against one another aren’t a substitute.

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For businesses, that means understanding the economic concerns behind policy debates. A conversation about a data center, for example, may also be a conversation about whether a community feels heard and understands how the benefits of investment will reach their wallets. 

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Andrew: The majority of the country strongly rejects what they have seen from the party in power over the last two years, especially policies that raised the cost of living and a war of choice that violated a promise of “no new wars.” Those feelings, on top of growing frustration that everyday people are increasingly being dealt out of a system gamed by the well connected, have added to a hunger for anti-corruption reforms.I see several possible realignments. Republican lawmakers who watched their party lose support will have stronger incentives to act independently and find common ground on issues their constituents consider urgent. At the same time, a large number of Democrats won in traditionally red places by running on practical populism, creating some daylight between themselves and the national party, and promising to work with Republicans where they could. That doesn’t mean partisan divisions disappear, but it could create openings for coalitions that weren’t possible before. 

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Does that mean we should expect more bipartisan policymaking, either at the state or federal level?

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Andrew: There could be more room for it, particularly where lawmakers with very different politics share a concern. AI safety is one example where members of Congress don’t have to agree on everything to see a common interest in addressing a specific problem.

The challenge for businesses and organizations is to understand what is motivating the constituents of those potential partners. People want meaningful reform, but they also want economic opportunity. Companies have an opening to help develop solutions that respond to both. 

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Davey: I would still be cautious about predicting a breakthrough in Congress. Leadership decisions and how both parties respond to the results will matter. But if states are moving legislation while Washington remains gridlocked, that can create additional pressure for federal action to avoid a growing patchwork of state statutes. 

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Which technology policy issues should organizations be watching?

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Davey: Of course, candidates and voters alike were focused on AI. We expect AI and the issues surrounding its regulation to remain a top priority for the new Congress. Cryptocurrency, permitting reform and comprehensive data privacy are also likely to stay high on lawmakers’ list. These are issues where lawmakers may want to find a path forward, even if getting agreement on the details remains difficult. Privacy, in particular, would require sustained attention and coordination across both chambers. 

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Andrew: Trade belongs on that list, too. Tariffs and international policies targeting U.S. technology companies — including in Europe, where American businesses can face tougher treatment than Chinese competitors — connect directly to the broader affordability conversation. For businesses engaging on these issues, the strongest argument isn’t simply how a policy affects the company. It’s what it means for customers, small businesses and economic opportunity.

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In light of these results, how should companies and organizations approach their relationships in a changing Washington?

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Andrew: Don’t overcorrect. The most sustainable approach is to maintain strong relationships with people in both parties. A disappointing election for one party is not a reason to close those channels.

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At the same time, relationships with elected officials are only part of the equation. Companies and organizations should engage with the communities those officials represent, listen to their concerns and demonstrate that they want to be part of the solution. That also means being prepared for serious policy conversations, including reforms that may not be a company’s first choice in the short term but truly does deliver them and their communities tremendous value in the long term. 

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Davey: Companies and organizations need to demonstrate who they are through their actions on a national level and their local relationships, rather than assuming that access in Washington will speak for itself. 

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What do these results mean for the lame-duck session?

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Andrew: It’s too soon to make firm predictions. We need a clearer picture of congressional leadership and how lawmakers are interpreting the results. There has been positive movement on bipartisan permitting reform, with plenty in the emerging proposal that the coalition that powered Democrats’ midterm gains could support. There’s also an ongoing debate about defense funding in the context of the Iran War, which was a big driver of Republicans’ losses. 

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Davey: The outlook will depend on the issue and whether lawmakers see a reason to work together. Organizations should stay engaged, while recognizing that the opportunities will become clearer as the post-election picture takes shape. 

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Andrew Bates currently serves as a managing director at Orchestra. He previously served as senior deputy press secretary under former President Joe Biden. 

Davey McKissick is a Senior Vice President at Glen Echo, where he works with clients of all sizes to craft and execute full-service public affairs campaigns navigating an increasingly partisan federal political environment.

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We’ll be watching closely as the landscape shifts. Looking for a partner to help navigate what comes next? Reach out to us.

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