STATESIDE


Stateside


Sharon Harris considers the implications for our industry as she prepares to weather another election year in the U.S. of A.


Blue or red? Tortoise or Hare?


I 8 MARCH 2024


t’s 2024, which means another major election. It’s a funny thing about election years. That is when almost everyone in power, whom you haven’t seen or heard from except when they want media exposure, suddenly comes to life. On cue, they become visible. The most disheartening fact for me is that these


no-shows are typically reelected. In the U.S., the result in most precincts is almost certain before November. States are considered either “reliably” blue


(Democratic) or red (Republican), save for a few “swing states’ that ultimately decide the nation’s future. It is a sad system when most voters remain party loyalists rather than examine a candidate’s policies or actions. Tens of millions have now become unaffiliated voters, but it may not be enough to change the dynamic. Politicians rarely face consequences for their


overspending, minimal accomplishments, incompetence and living an unrealistic life. I understand I sound cynical, but I’ve seen this movie too many times over too many elections. My husband Norman spent years as an attorney


representing multiple municipalities. He claims that in his experience, politicians rarely did anything without first considering its ultimate benefit to them. So, in an election year that will see local, state, federal


and presidential candidates vying for the win, gaming may enjoy some real expansion. That will be especially true if money is needed. CBRE Equity Research’s Analyst John McCree affirms those expectations. He cites three underlying expansion


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