Washington Kenkyu Group: Discussion with Ms. Celinda Lake

On September 11, Sasakawa USA hosted Ms. Celinda Lake, president of Lake Research Partners and one of the Democratic Party’s leading strategists and pollsters, for a Washington Kenkyu Group discussion on the U.S. political landscape and the outlook for the 2026 midterm elections. 

Drawing on her extensive experience advising the Democratic National Committee and numerous Democratic candidates, including President Biden in his 2020 presidential campaign, Ms. Lake examined the economic and political forces shaping voter attitudes ahead of the midterms. She highlighted widespread public dissatisfaction with the direction of the country, persistent concerns about the cost of living, and declining confidence in both major political parties. She also discussed how Democrats and Republicans are positioning themselves on key issues, including the economy, immigration, trade, and cultural debates, as they seek to build winning coalitions in a highly polarized political environment. Participants engaged in a lively discussion on the growing number of independent voters, the future of the two-party system, the potential impact of President Trump on Republican candidates, and the prospects for Democratic control of the House and Senate. The conversation also explored U.S.-Japan tariffs, local opposition to data center construction, evolving voting patterns among women, and the challenges of polling an increasingly fragmented electorate. 

Photo (left to right): Ms. Celinda Lake and Dr. Satohiro Akimoto