All articles tagged with #midterm elections 2026
Michigan Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed confronted Fox's Jesse Watters, asking if he is circumcised while arguing that the government should not regulate transgender medical procedures for minors; the exchange touched on circumcision versus gender-affirming care and sports eligibility as El-Sayed pursues the Senate seat against Mike Rogers.
Former Anchorage Mayor Dan A. Sullivan endorsed incumbent Sen. Daniel S. Sullivan in Alaska’s high-stakes Senate race, joining a field that also includes another Dan Sullivan (retired teacher Dan J. Sullivan) and Democrat Mary Peltola; the contest, managed under Alaska’s ranked-choice system, has drawn national attention as candidates vie to advance to the general election.
A CBS News/YouGov poll shows Democrats overwhelmingly favor socialism over capitalism (roughly 60% favorable vs 18% unfavorable for socialism; 32% favorable vs 50% unfavorable for capitalism). Among college-educated Dems, 71% favor socialism (16% unfavorable). Public opinion is more mixed, with capitalism still viewed more positively than socialism overall, while the rise of Democratic Socialists of America–backed candidates signals growing leftward influence ahead of the 2026 midterms.
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt will resign by the end of August to focus on her family, with Trump saying she will become a top outside adviser to help the GOP’s 2026 midterm effort; Leavitt, 28, is the youngest person to hold the post since it was created.
Progressives are backing off the 2020-era 'Woke 1' framing and shifting to an affordability-focused, universal message that blends a class critique with social equity. The strategy aims to widen Democratic appeal, reflect changing voter priorities, and test party unity and credibility in key races like Wisconsin and Michigan as the left recalibrates its approach for 2026 and beyond.
A cascade of ethics allegations against GOP freshmen in pivotal House districts heightens party anxiety ahead of the 2026 midterms: Rep. Max Miller’s Ohio seat, Rep. Chuck Edwards’ North Carolina seat, and Rep. Cory Mills’ Florida seat are all under ethics scrutiny, with Edwards withdrawing after a censure recommendation and Miller fighting to stay in. Democrats see openings to flip Miller’s and Mills’ seats, while Republicans weigh how to defend the rest as campaigns ramp up and spending grows.
A Reuters/Ipsos poll finds about 49% of Americans say they understand Democratic Socialists of America policies and 47% do not, highlighting persistent confusion even as DSA-backed candidates win primaries. The survey also shows 27% say DSA ideas have at least some merit, 51% see few or none, and 20% are unsure, with a similar split for MAGA ideas. The online poll of 1,248 US adults has a ±3-point margin of error.
House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries kicked off the final 100 days of the 2026 midterms with an affordability-focused message in Bethlehem, PA, outlining steps to lower costs (ending tariffs, extending ACA tax credits, repealing a GOP bill, ending the war in Iran) and pitching a Democrat-led agenda to make everyday living affordable, a stance he reinforced alongside Gov. Josh Shapiro and congressional candidate Bob Brooks in a swing district.
Maine Democrats will hold a July 25 convention to nominate a new U.S. Senate candidate to replace Graham Platner, who withdrew after a woman publicly alleged he drunkenly raped her in 2021; several Democratic contenders who lost Maine’s gubernatorial primary are vying to replace him, and party leaders including Kirsten Gillibrand have begun fundraising, arguing that flipping Maine is crucial to controlling the Senate, with a replacement deadline of July 27.
Comedian Bill Maher called NYC congressional candidate Darializa Avila Chevalier “patient zero” of the woke mind virus, blasting her abolitionist stances on prisons, borders, and police, and citing her past social-media posts. He suggested the Democratic Party’s leftward tilt could affect his vote, remarking during Real Time that Chevalier’s views and rhetoric exemplify a trend he finds troubling. Chevalier won the Democratic primary against Adriano Espaillat and was endorsed by Mayor Zohran Mamdani; her campaign did not respond to comment requests. Maher’s critique comes as he discusses with JD Vance the party’s shift and the broader implications for voters.”,
The Supreme Court’s six-justice Republican majority issued a ruling that weakens protections against racial gerrymandering by Alabama, arguing state maps can be drawn to dilute nonwhite voting power. The decision diverges from earlier guidance in Callais and Allen, prompting Justice Sotomayor’s dissent that this could provoke chaos in Alabama’s upcoming primary and undermine the Voting Rights Act. Analysts say the Court is broadening states’ ability to shape electoral maps, which could tilt the 2026 midterms toward Republicans by effectively giving them an extra House seat.
After an incomplete DNC autopsy, Democratic elites are steering toward centrist messaging: focusing on affordability, attacking Trump, and softening on immigration, crime, climate, and identity issues to win the median voter in 2026 and beyond. While this “vibe shift” may help in midterms, skeptics question whether it signals real policy changes or leadership and worry it may not endure in the longer term without a clearer roadmap for the party.
Saturday’s No Kings protests stretched across all 50 states, but the organizers say the real work is a lasting infrastructure: local hosts, training sessions, and a voter-outreach pipeline that could translate into midterm impact if turnout continues into April, October, and Election Day.
Thousands of No Kings protests spanned the country as midterms approach, with organizers claiming turnout in the millions. Protesters cited the Iran war as a galvanizing force, but opposition to the Trump administration’s immigration crackdown remained a core theme. Duelling demonstrations near Mar-a-Lago highlighted the nationwide divide, while Democratic candidates joined events from Maine to Michigan, signaling renewed energy and messaging around the No Kings movement ahead of the elections.
South Carolina Democrat James Clyburn, 85, announced he will seek an 18th term in the House, signaling his decision to remain in Congress as Democrats push for generational change and eye a potential first Black speaker if they win the majority; he says his decision was influenced by encouragement from leadership and his constituents, and he hints it could be his last term but does not rule it out.