The U.S. Midterms and the Legacy of American Values

The U.S. Midterms and the Legacy of American Values The ballots have been cast, the results are in, and now it’s time to read the signs.

The U.S. midterm elections offer much more to unpack than the numbers alone. What political forces shaped the vote? What media narratives surrounded it? What can history tell us about the results – and what might they mean for American and global politics in the years ahead?

On November 4, Professor of Political Science Robert “Bobby” Phillips, AUBG alumnus Elvin Guri (‘96), and Professor of Journalism Darina Sarelska will come together for a lively discussion moderated by AUBG President Dr. J.D. Mininger.

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During the evening, we will go beyond the results of the U.S. midterms to unpack what happened at the polls and, more importantly, why. The discussion comes at an interesting political moment at home. With Bulgaria’s presidential election behind us, it is a season for reflection and deeper analysis.

The speakers will approach these questions from their own perspectives and areas of expertise.

Professor of Political Science Bobby Phillips, whose research and teaching span American and Bulgarian politics, political communication, and foreign policy, will look at the political landscape in the United States, the key issues shaping the midterms, and what the vote could mean for American politics in the years ahead.

AUBG alumnus Elvin Guri (’96) will bring the perspective of an entrepreneur and investor who approaches business through the lens of history. He joins us to discuss what the U.S. midterm elections could mean for business and investment in our region, drawing on his professional experience and his belief that understanding the past can inform how we approach what comes next. A longtime member of the AUBG community, Guri served for 18 years on the AUBG Board of Trustees and received the AUBG Distinguished Service Award in 2025.

Professor of Journalism Darina Sarelska brings together an academic perspective and extensive experience in Bulgarian television and news. Before entering academia, she worked as an executive producer at bTV and news director at Nova. Drawing on her work in journalism, media, propaganda, and disinformation, she will explore the narratives surrounding the elections, the role of the media in shaping political conversations, and how voters encounter and make sense of political information.

Join us for the conversation and bring your own questions and perspectives to the table.

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