With all due respect I think you're not correct when you say
"Local and state issues are the lens through which voters select those sent to Congress; often how candidates measure up on regional issues is much more important to voters than how candidates might interact in the national legislative bodies."
The nationalization of politics has made party affiliation and straight partisan voting very sticky among voters. Which largely coincides with the reduced role of local media and community news and the rise of the national politico-infotainment industry.
With all due respect I think you're not correct when you say
"Local and state issues are the lens through which voters select those sent to Congress; often how candidates measure up on regional issues is much more important to voters than how candidates might interact in the national legislative bodies."
The nationalization of politics has made party affiliation and straight partisan voting very sticky among voters. Which largely coincides with the reduced role of local media and community news and the rise of the national politico-infotainment industry.