2022 Election Memes Roundup: Who Was Based And Who Was Mid(term)?

Many things could be said about the 2022 midterms, but one thing is certainly true — these were among the most memed American elections of all time.

Several of the candidates, like Herschel Walker, John Fetterman and Doctor Oz are objectively humorous people (for very different reasons). Additionally, whether you're on the right, left or somewhere in-between, the dramas and storylines of politics are their own kind of lore, for which each election naturally produces a rich crop of memes.

Lauren Boebert losing?
Kari Lake losing?
Herschel Walker losing?
Dr. Oz losing?

DELICIOUS.

My offerings to Dark Brandon have been accepted 🕯️ pic.twitter.com/aqVj4S0sSc

— Nicole Mojan Pirshafiey (she/hers) (@NicoleMojan) November 9, 2022

Fetterman showing Dr. Oz the election results pic.twitter.com/7ICBwyVvWD

— Josiah Johnson (@KingJosiah54) November 9, 2022

So, how did the 2022 midterm election day go for memes this year? Let's dive into some of the most prominent political memes of these midterms and see what they mean for our democracy while everyone waits for the final counts to roll in.

Did you vote yet?? 👀

Be sure to do so before polls close pic.twitter.com/lEBFXWQoxK

— John Fetterman (@JohnFetterman) November 8, 2022

The Fettermemes: Pennsylvania Senate Race

Arguably the most memed campaign was the one between Doctor Oz and John Fetterman, which saw the Pennsylvania Lieutenant Governor relentlessly troll his opponent for allegedly living in New Jersey. Doctor Oz, a product of talk-show television who made his career on cable, found himself at the wrong end of many viral moments, from Crudité to allegations of mass puppy murder. Fetterman on the other hand largely drew criticism leading up to election day for worries about his health, among other minor topics.

Oprah’s endorsement of John Fetterman days before the election marked an important meme moment in this senatorial race. She notoriously gave Doctor Oz his career on TV, and her rejection of him was hilarious to many.

Oprah watching Dr. Oz go down in flames… pic.twitter.com/WlOGHI6C8R

— Jimmy Kimmel (@jimmykimmel) November 9, 2022

Dr. Oz: pic.twitter.com/XjvAbrnRZq

— Steven Garza (@stevenagarza) November 9, 2022

New Jersey when Dr Oz comes back pic.twitter.com/fpQpR7ec1W

— Kevin Finnerty (@timeimmemorial_) November 9, 2022

With the race now officially being called for Fetterman, some are wondering if Fetterman’s meme-heavy approach might be copied by future campaigns. Many users have since credited humor for the campaign’s success.

Because John Fetterman won, more politicians will be taking their campaigns online, trying to recreate the lightning in a bottle Fetterman had with his own original memes.

We're finally going to find out; Can the left or right actually meme?

— Zach (@zachzeaman) November 9, 2022

People think of Oz as a laughable opponent – but in large part that’s because FETTERMAN MADE HIM LAUGHABLE, right after the primary.

Walker was, frankly, even more ridiculous, but Warnock wasn’t aggressive in defining or attacking him, and ended up in a much closer race.

— Will Stancil (@whstancil) November 9, 2022

But not every Fetterman meme was positive. A number of right-wing memers have also posted comparing Fetterman to various monsters, making fun of his physical appearance, among other antagonistic tactics of meme warfare.

pic.twitter.com/hae4E2Emcp

— drefanzor memes (@drefanzor) November 9, 2022

Herschel Walker and Raphael Warnock Memes: Georgia Senate Race

In the closely watched state of Georgia, the meme side of the Senate race between Republican Herschel Walker and Democrat Raphael Warnock appeared to mostly focus on Walker. Many of these memes mocked the former football player for his supposed "low intelligence" and his infamously tense relationship with his many children, among other controversies.

Herschel Walker losing by one vote cause he wrote-in "me"

— Mike Scollins (@mikescollins) November 9, 2022

Herschel Walker somewhere asking if he’s the blue or the red

— J. Moore (@JonWas_Here) November 9, 2022

Mfers really voting for Herschel Walker. pic.twitter.com/ZtkixPX8fJ

— Joey Wilkinson 🏁 (@AssassinateHate) November 9, 2022

Warnock, who was the pastor at Martin Luther King Jr.’s church and has occupied the seat for the past year, ran a more conventional and less meme-filled campaign than some of the other more viral politicians this year. However, it's possible this race is too close to call and will go to a runoff, meaning there may be even more memes to come.

Beto, Abbott and More Gubernatorial Memes

The 2022 election day memes weren’t just about the Senate races. In Texas, Beto O'Rourke ran for Governor against Greg Abbott and lost. Many memers joked about his continuing campaigns for various offices and status as something of a media darling who has gotten famous for running as a Democratic candidate in the deeply red Texas and losing.

We did the best we could!!!!! But that backwoods counties and cities have us out numbered!!!#texas #Beto #BetoForTexas pic.twitter.com/RfQA7nL0QR

— ✨✨Esha✨✨ (@yepitsesha) November 9, 2022

losing three times is more than enough, don't you think?

just go away#NeverBeto#KeepTexasRed pic.twitter.com/ZiCjwwbF61

— Mexican_Ghost (@MexicanoGhost) November 8, 2022

Following his loss, a number of memers joked that Beto (which is a Spanish nickname) might cross the border into Louisiana, Cajunify himself and run as "Beteaux."

You have options @BetoORourke!! Texas doesn't want you, but there's other states to try! 🖕😂🖕 pic.twitter.com/NUB7hpBK45

— 🇺🇲❤️💙 Mel💙❤️🇺🇸 (@MelRoseCov) November 9, 2022

Others joked about J.B. Pritzker, who won his re-election as Governor of Illinois. Many have called for him to use Mongol Horde-type tactics to conquer the entire Midwest.

Glory to JB Pritzker, Great Khan of Springfield, Khan of Khans, and Conquer of Emperors. Tomorrow he shall ride to glorious victory, for it is the will of the great Tengri. All hail! pic.twitter.com/pVEk42C6wg

— Nomadic Warriors for Pritzker⚔️ (@Nomads4Pritzker) November 7, 2022

Many also posted in anticipation of a possible Fetterman-Pritzker ticket, which would join the two "biggest boys" in the Democratic party.

The Pritzker/Fetterman ticket pic.twitter.com/YRD5fHAQJ3

— Moses Malone Stan (@BenGrau1) November 9, 2022

Red Wave Memes

Although prominent figures in the Republican party predicted a “red wave,” the results are more mixed despite such memes appearing increasingly around social media leading up to the election. Many supporting the party found themselves disappointed following the midterms, expressing their discontent online.

Democrats now seem likely to retain control of the Senate and still have a shot at the House. Meanwhile, Republican results at the state level in governor and election official races are far from overwhelmingly positive as some initially touted.

Waiting on this red wave… pic.twitter.com/7KEzcujLcT

— The Lincoln Project (@ProjectLincoln) November 9, 2022

Some memers also took the chance to make fun of the party’s overly optimistic predictions. Particularly, memers called out Congresswoman Lauren Boebert, whose own reelection race is unexpectedly tight (as of Wednesday morning, she's trailing her Democrat opponent by a percentage point).

Not to be out-memed by American users, foreign posters threw in their two pence as well.

What Will The Future Hold For American Political Memes?

American politics are currently built for television. Campaigns spend the bulk of their funds on TV advertisements and candidates hone their talking points into sound bites for cable news.

That being said it seems like all that might be changing, and arguably has been in recent elections, because television is no longer the place where many people are persuaded in 2022. Keeping that in mind, knowing your memes becomes all the more important when your United States Senator may have been elected because of his aptitude for crafting memes.