Fixing the economy but losing reelection?

Hey guys, so, i’ve finally managed to get the sordish recovery, and ended my term with a good economy and no internal party opposition from Lileas due to her arrest, however, i somehow lost the election to Ricter, which, due to being a socialist, puts my reforms at risk.

How, despite the recovery, did he manage to win? I signed the FTC, had rural institutes and freed polítical prisoners, raised the budget from everything except the military, reconciled with the bluds with no autonomous zone, raised luxury, alcohol and tobacco taxes, and signed almost all progressive decrees, however, i gave credit to Ricter for the constitucional reforms.

Should i call out his bluff? Invest in things with more popular opinion like free prescription medicine, or what do you recommend?