All articles tagged with #us midterm elections 2026
Florida Rep. María Elvira Salazar released a White House–fronted ad urging Trump to temper immigration enforcement, saying Hispanics who backed him in 2024 feel betrayed — a sign that more Republicans are distancing themselves from Trump ahead of the 2026 midterms as polling shows Democrats gaining ground in battleground districts.
Donald Trump and JD Vance used a Dallas midterm rally to press voters toward a Republican majority, framing the race as a contrast between “the party of common sense” and Democrats who are warned about, even as Republicans dodge talking points on policy. They highlighted rising energy costs linked to the Iran war, affordability concerns, and other issues to energize their base, while signaling potential consequences for the White House’s agenda if Democrats win. The event featured tangential policy chatter (including a disputed $5,000 payout idea) and drew skepticism within the party about costs and strategy, with Democrats mocking the spectacle as they seek to sway swing voters ahead of the 2026 midterms.
During the Dallas midterm convention, Donald Trump pledged a $5,000 dividend for every adult US citizen if Republicans retain control of both chambers of Congress, a populist gambit to energize voters despite wavering approval ratings and inflation worries; the plan would face substantial hurdles in Congress and could heighten concerns about fiscal spending in bond markets.
Donald Trump urged voters to embrace AI data centres, saying opponents want to end up 'backwards and poor' while lawmakers from both parties pause or audit projects amid rising energy costs and concerns about Big Tech power, risking a slowdown in a $150bn nationwide infrastructure boom ahead of the midterm elections.
Francesca Hong, a Democratic socialist and Wisconsin state legislator, leads the Democratic primary for governor with a solid polling edge, signaling a rise of progressive candidates even as party figures worry her platform—abolishing the police and prisons—may complicate a general-election bid against Republican Tom Tiffany; her candidacy has drawn scrutiny over past social posts, but she remains the front-runner heading into Tuesday's primary in a swing state.
AIPAC, the longtime dominant pro-Israel lobby, is at the center of US primary politics as its endorsements and heavy fundraising—including via its UDP Super PAC—spur attacks and defenses from candidates, reflecting growing scrutiny of foreign influence and big-money in elections while still securing some bipartisan policy support.
Trump is piling pressure on US companies to cut prices as inflation remains elevated (about 4.2% in May). He has touted Walmart’s price reductions and urged others to follow, signaling increased government involvement in free markets ahead of the 2026 midterms. Analysts warn the approach risks longer‑term market distortions, even as some supply‑side actions show short‑term relief.
Progressive candidates backed by NYC’s Democratic Socialist mayor Zohran Mamdani swept NY primaries, toppling incumbents and signaling a leftward shift that unsettles the Democratic establishment as it fights to regain Congress in November. The wins—especially Darializa Avila Chevalier’s narrow victory over Adriano Espaillat—trigger alarm among centrists over national electoral prospects and ignite debate within the party about how far to embrace the progressive agenda, with Chevalier’s calls for police abolition and other leftist stances drawing intense scrutiny.
Voters across several states vote in primaries that will signal Democratic mood and Trump-era GOP dynamics ahead of the midterms. In California, a jungle primary could lead to a three-way race for governor featuring Xavier Becerra, Steve Hilton and Tom Steyer, while Los Angeles’s mayoral contest could pit incumbent Karen Bass against reality TV figure Spencer Pratt; San Francisco’s race to replace Nancy Pelosi adds to the high-stakes lineup. With President Trump’s approval at a record low, Democrats are hopeful about retaking Congress, while Iowa’s crowded GOP field tests Trump’s grip despite a nomination threshold and potential delays in tallying results.
Former Bethlehem firefighter and union leader Bob Brooks won the Pennsylvania 7th District Democratic nomination, underscoring a party push to win back blue-collar voters with a more populist, working-class message as he prepares to face Republican Ryan Mackenzie in a pivotal November race amid broader national concerns about party appeal and polarization.
In Kentucky’s 4th District, Thomas Massie faces Ed Gallrein in the costliest U.S. House primary on record, propelled by Donald Trump’s push to punish Massie and backed by a wave of billionaire donors and pro-Israel PACs; more than $30 million has been spent on ads, illustrating Trump’s grip on the MAGA base and the influence of big-money donors as the GOP heads toward the 2026 midterms.