All articles tagged with #midterms
A POLITICO analysis finds that Trump’s focus on affordability surged early in 2026 but, after the Iran war began, shifted toward war and military action, with affordability talk dropping and war topics rising—amid high gas prices and a political climate that Democrats are leveraging to critique his economic messaging ahead of the midterms.
White House deputy chief of staff James Blair is weighing a temporary leave to run Donald Trump’s midterm campaign operation from outside the White House while remaining in his post, a move Susie Wiles confirmed; the plan would unify spending and strategy ahead of the 2026 midterms and reflects Blair’s longtime role as Trump’s political operator (including as the 2024 campaign director).
Democrats are gaining momentum with multiple special-election wins ahead of the November midterms, notably in Georgia’s 14th District where Democrat Shawn Harris advances to a runoff against Republican Clay Fuller, while Republicans express alarm over spring losses and recalibrate ahead of Wisconsin’s gubernatorial contest.
Republicans fear the two-week Iran ceasefire will not spare them from a midterm backlash, as volatile gas prices and persistent cost‑of‑living pressures tied to the war threaten GOP prospects in November, even as Trump’s diplomacy and a hoped‑for economic rebound offer some political shelter.
Democrats posted a banner election night: a liberal-backed candidate won Wisconsin’s state Supreme Court race by nearly 20 points, and a Georgia Democrat overperformed in a deeply red district, signaling rising turnout and momentum for Democrats heading into the 2026 elections, even as Republicans caution that results vary by race.
President Donald Trump faces a confluence of crises—a partial Homeland Security shutdown and a widening war with Iran—while his approval sinks and midterm prospects deteriorate, fueling internal GOP worries about retaining Congress as analysts note weak polling, rising oil prices, and a shift in White House messaging toward security and economics over domestic policy.
Former Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, now critical of Trump, warned that the Biden-era Iran escalation and related controversies could threaten Republican prospects in the upcoming midterms, echoing Megyn Kelly's critique that foreign wars could jeopardize a domestic-focused campaign.
Sen. Cory Booker urged a generational renewal for the Democratic Party, arguing it has failed this moment due to purity tests and a too-small coalition, while signaling that some progressives want to replace Senate Leader Chuck Schumer as midterm tensions grow; he left open a presidential run and weighed in on issues from Iran policy to ICE funding.
A Trump-aligned nonprofit, Innovation Council Action, plans to spend at least $100 million this year to advance the White House’s AI policy agenda, potentially launching a super PAC; led by Taylor Budowich with backing from David Sacks, the group seeks to influence lawmakers on AI and data-center issues and identify friendly legislators while maintaining donor anonymity.
At CPAC in Texas, Trump’s absence set the tone as hawkish voices debated a potential Iran ground invasion while others urged restraint, with attendees ranging from hardliners to wary younger Republicans; the discussion unfolded amid high gas prices, looming midterm campaigns, and foreign policy anxiety within the MAGA movement.
One month into the Iran conflict, Republicans in battleground states broadly back the president, but the prolonged war is driving up costs and complicating campaigns. Gas prices in several states near five dollars a gallon, fertilizer and supply-chain pressures hit farmers and manufacturers, and worry about turnout among MAGA voters grows if fighting drags on. The White House argues the conflict will help cool inflation and energy supply, while GOP officials fret about endgame and potential casualties. Polls show loyal Trump supporters largely back the action, but political risk rises the longer the war lasts.
New Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin has a short window to stabilize DHS amid a funding lapse, airport delays, and ongoing immigration policy fights, as Republicans seek rapid reforms and Democrats push for changes before the midterm elections.
Florida Democrats flipped two seats in Tuesday’s special elections, including the Palm Beach County district that encompasses Mar-a-Lago, sparking optimism that the party is gaining footing for the 2026 midterms. While Republicans still outpace Democrats in voter registration and cautions that special elections don’t guarantee general-election outcomes persist, analysts say the results signal broader momentum, with Hispanic turnout and dissatisfaction over costs and inaction contributing to Democratic energy beyond Florida’s borders.
Republicans are pursuing a second budget reconciliation bill to advance an election-year agenda—centered on immigration enforcement funding and pieces of the SAVE America Act—while facing thin margins, House conservatives' pushback, and procedural constraints from the Senate parliamentarian, making passage uncertain ahead of the midterms.
Missouri's Supreme Court ruled 4-3 that the legislature can redraw congressional districts mid-decade without violating the state constitution, a win for Republicans ahead of the November elections; Democrats continue pursuing lawsuits over compactness and a referendum to block or freeze the map, though the ruling narrows their chances of overturning it before the vote.