All articles tagged with #2026 election
Republican Rep. Tom Kean Jr. of New Jersey resurfaced after a month-long absence, stating he’s recovering from an illness and plans to disclose more health details; Speaker Mike Johnson said Kean sounded optimistic about a quick return, and Kean told the New Jersey Globe he expects to vote and campaign again within weeks and will seek a third term in 2026, with doctors saying there are no long-term or cognitive issues.
Former Detroit mayor Mike Duggan ends his unaffiliated bid for Michigan governor, saying the current political climate favors Democrats and leaving the race to likely feature Democrat Jocelyn Benson against Republican John James. Duggan cited polling and fundraising shortfalls as well as the national mood, noting he won’t be a spoiler and acknowledging he’ll be outspent by party machinery.
Facing slipping approval ratings, Trump told reporters that gas prices are “peanuts” and he isn’t focused on them, instead tying his agenda to stopping Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon while recalling cheaper gas days amid a noisy East Wing construction backdrop.
Sen. Tommy Tuberville won the Alabama Republican gubernatorial primary and is positioned as the favorite to win the general election this fall, aiming to replace term-limited Gov. Kay Ivey. Trump endorsed Tuberville, and the state has not elected a Democrat as governor since 1998, with Democrat Doug Jones winning the Democratic primary for governor in the race.
Tennessee asks the Davidson County court to deny the NAACP’s emergency bid to block the newly drawn U.S. House map, arguing state officials enjoy immunity and that no imminent harm exists, even as the NAACP contends the special-session process and changes to residency rules were improperly enacted ahead of the 2026 election.
Democrat Chedrick Greene defeated Republican Jason Tunney in Michigan’s 35th Senate District to replace Kristen McDonald Rivet, securing a 20-18 Democratic majority in the state Senate. The race drew high-profile visits from Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and Pete Buttigieg, and Greene led by about 22 points with 55% of expected votes counted, reflecting a broader pattern of Democrats outperforming Harris in 2024 in that district.
State Rep. James Talarico raised $27 million in the first quarter of 2026 for his bid to flip Texas in the U.S. Senate, the largest quarterly total for any Senate candidate in any state in an early election year. The haul pushes his total this race to over $40 million from more than 540,000 individual donors across 246 of Texas’ 254 counties, and he has outpaced other Democratic contenders as Democrats push to win a statewide race in a state with 20 media markets.
Texas will hold its 2026 primary elections on March 3, featuring races for key statewide offices such as governor, attorney general, and lieutenant governor, with early voting starting February 17. Voters can choose candidates for both Democratic and Republican parties, with runoff elections scheduled if no candidate wins a majority. The ballot includes numerous other state and local races, and voters can only participate in one party’s primary and runoff.
Minnesota Governor Tim Walz has dropped his bid for reelection amid allegations of child-care fraud in the state and political attacks, including criticism from Donald Trump, citing the need to focus on defending Minnesota rather than campaigning. His exit leaves the Democratic race open, with potential candidates like Senator Amy Klobuchar considering a run, while Republicans, including Mike Lindell, are preparing to challenge for the governorship.
Minnesota Governor Tim Walz announced he will not seek reelection in 2026, citing the ongoing fraud scandals in Minnesota and the need to focus on addressing these issues, after serving as vice-presidential nominee in 2024 and facing national scrutiny over state fraud cases.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer warned his Labour Party that removing him in 2026 would lead to chaos and a far-right government, emphasizing the stability his leadership provides amid declining approval ratings and rising support for Nigel Farage's Reform UK.
Brazil's former president Jair Bolsonaro, currently jailed and serving a 27-year sentence for coup-plotting, underwent successful hernia surgery in Brasília. Ahead of the procedure, he endorsed his son Flávio's 2026 presidential bid, reaffirming his political influence despite his imprisonment. Bolsonaro's political future remains significant as Brazil approaches the upcoming election, with ongoing debates about his sentence and influence.
Republicans are optimistic about unseating Minnesota Governor Tim Walz in 2026, but Trump's divisive rhetoric and support for Lindell's candidacy could backfire, potentially strengthening Walz's position amid concerns over divisive attacks and internal party dynamics.
U.S. Rep. Marc Veasey withdrew from the race for Tarrant County judge to focus on his final year in Congress, citing redistricting that split his district and his desire to prioritize national issues over local office.
Jack Schlossberg, JFK's grandson, announced his candidacy for New York's 12th congressional district in 2026, aiming to succeed retiring Rep. Jerry Nadler and emphasizing opposition to Republican economic policies and the Trump administration's impact on social programs.