Skip to main content
  • Home
  • About
  • Faculty Experts
  • For The Media
  • ’Cuse Conversations Podcast
  • Topics
    • Alumni
    • Events
    • Faculty
    • Students
    • All Topics
  • Contact
  • Submit
Media Tip Sheets
  • All News
  • Arts & Culture
  • Business & Economy
  • Campus & Community
  • Health & Society
  • Media, Law & Policy
  • STEM
  • Veterans
  • |
  • Alumni
  • The Peel
  • Athletics
Sections
  • All News
  • Arts & Culture
  • Business & Economy
  • Campus & Community
  • Health & Society
  • Media, Law & Policy
  • STEM
  • Veterans
  • |
  • Alumni
  • The Peel
  • Athletics
  • Home
  • About
  • Faculty Experts
  • For The Media
  • ’Cuse Conversations Podcast
  • Topics
    • Alumni
    • Events
    • Faculty
    • Students
    • All Topics
  • Contact
  • Submit
Media Tip Sheets

Can an “October surprise” still influence voters?

Friday, October 7, 2022, By Ellen Mbuqe
Share

In the polarized political landscape of America, can an October Surprise still have an impact on voters?

This week, two hotly-contested senate races in Georgia and Pennsylvania were the subject of shocking reports, only four weeks before election day. In Georgia, an article came out by the Daily Beast that Republican candidate, Herschel Walker, paid for a former girlfriend’s abortion. Walker has run on an anti-abortion platform. In Pennsylvania, a report by Jezebel accused Republican candidate Dr. Mehmet Oz of leading a research team that conducted research that resulted in the death of more than 300 dogs.

But in the current political climate where people are so divided based on political affiliation, do these claims actually influence voters?

Shana Gadarian, a political psychologist, professor at Syracuse University, and the author of Anxious Politics, said it comes down to a host of reasons why or why not a scandal resonates.

“The empirical work on scandals is mixed. What matters is the type of scandal, whether it receives sufficient media coverage, how in line the scandal is with the beliefs about the candidate, how relevant it is to the image of the politician, and the timing right before an election” said Gadarian.

“So, that’s not to say that scandals can never undermine voters’ choices close to an election. Even in a polarized electorate, there are a lot of independent voters and partisan voters who have to make the decision to actually turn out,” said Gadarian. “But we shouldn’t overstate the effect that scandals can have on voters because there are still a large number of people who don’t pay attention to politics.”

“For the Walker case in Georgia, just because national media is covering it, it’s less likely to matter unless it is covered by local media and framed as relevant to policy and not just to his character,” said Gadarian.

“That said, Walker is likely to underperform rather than a more traditional Republican candidate because of the scandals, but also because he’s inexperienced as a candidate. What we might see is another pathway by which the scandal matters indirectly – donors and the national party might take their resources and put it in other races where they are more sure that the candidate has a stronger shot,” said Gadarian.

  • Author
  • Faculty Experts

Ellen Mbuqe

  • Shana Kushner Gadarian

  • Recent
  • Syracuse University Press Participating in Path to Open Program
    Friday, September 29, 2023, By Cristina Hatem
  • A&S Chemistry Professor Receives Award From the American Chemical Society
    Friday, September 29, 2023, By News Staff
  • ‘Guys and Dolls’ Opens Syracuse University Department of Drama 2023/24 Season
    Friday, September 29, 2023, By Joanna Penalva
  • Libraries Add MindSpa Wellness Rooms
    Friday, September 29, 2023, By Cristina Hatem
  • iSchool Professors, Students Honored With ALISE Awards
    Friday, September 29, 2023, By Anya Woods

More In Media Tip Sheets

Expert Available to Discuss Rupert Murdoch Stepping Down at Fox News

If you are looking for an expert to discuss Rupert Murdoch stepping down at Fox News, Lynne Vincent, associate professor of management at Syracuse University’s Whitman School of Management, is available for interviews. If you’d like to schedule an interview…

Education Expert: Massive Public Investment Needed to Solve Teacher Shortages 

School districts across the country continue to struggle with teacher shortages as a new school year begins. There has been a lot of talk about the reasons behind the shortages and what can be done to improve the situation.  George…

Featured Media Coverage – Week of Sept. 11

Syracuse University thought leaders, events and research news were showcased in the following news outlets this week: Eric Grode, director of the Goldring Arts Journalism and Communications program at Newhouse, was quoted in the Associated Press story “Largest US newspaper…

Experts Available to Discuss UAW Strike

The historic UAW strike has begun. If you are looking for experts to interview for your story, consider these Syracuse University faculty members who are available for interview. You may also quote their comments below. Matthew Huber, professor of geography…

Featured Media Coverage – Week of Sept. 4

Syracuse University thought leaders, events and research news were showcased in the following news outlets this week: George Saunders, a professor in the College of Arts and Sciences, was featured in Library of Congress “George Saunders to Receive 2023 Library…

Subscribe to SU Today

If you need help with your subscription, contact sunews@syr.edu.

Connect With Us

  • 2015-16 Remembrance Scholars
  • 25th Annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration
  • About
    • SU Today Publishing Schedule
  • Authors
  • Campus Email Intake Form
  • Communications Contacts
  • Connect with SU
  • Contact
  • Defenses and Examinations
  • Exhibitions
  • Faculty Experts
  • For The Media
    • Media Experts: Syracuse University Researchers on COVID-19
  • Home
  • Inside SU Landing Page
  • Lawrence B. Taishoff Center Q&A
  • Media Coverage
  • Orange Appreciation Days/Winter Break Information
  • Past Stories
  • Resource Library: Blogs
  • Resource Library: Crisis Management
  • Resource Library: Media Relations
  • Resource Library: Media Training
  • Resource Library: Op-Eds
  • Resource Library: Research
  • Resource Library: Social Media / Social Networking
  • Resource Library: Useful Web Links
  • Sections
  • Statement from Syracuse University Vice Chancellor and Provost Eric Spina Regarding Law School Student Blog Matter
  • Student Spotlights
  • SU News Services Resource Library
  • Submit an Announcement
  • Submitting News and Events
    • Submit an Announcement
    • Submit an Event
  • Subscribe
  • Syracuse Views
  • Topics
  • University Community Harvest Farmers’ Market
  • Videos
  • What’s New
  • Yearly Archive
  • ’Cuse Conversations Page With Subscription Box
  • ’Cuse Conversations Podcast
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Youtube
  • LinkedIn
  • @SyracuseU
  • @SyracuseUNews
  • @SUCampus
  • Social Media Directory
  • Accessibility
  • Privacy
  • Campus Status
  • Syracuse.edu
© 2023 Syracuse University News. All Rights Reserved.