American politician and educator, Texas House member since 2018; 2026 U.S. Senate candidate
The race for the Texas Senate seat is tightening. Paxton has secured the GOP nomination and is pursuing funding from Trump's MAGA network to fend off a strong Democratic challenger backed by polls and internal data. Other races show Trump’s endorsements affecting outcomes and the broader GOP landscape as Republicans weigh fundraising and support strategies.
Progressive Abdul El-Sayed has appeared on Fox News to challenge questions from host Jesse Watters. The exchange touches on Medicare for All, guns, and culture-war issues as he campaigns against Republican Mike Rogers in Michigan; observers say the appearance signals a new, media-savvy approach in the party ahead of the November election.
Massachusetts Sen. Ed Markey remains in a competitive Democratic primary against Rep. Seth Moulton as voters choose nominees for multiple offices. Markey has endorsements from senior members and an edge in fundraising, while Moulton argues Markey is too old for another term. The contest reflects a broader progressive-versus-moderate dynamic in the party ahead of the 2026 midterms.
Trump is amplifying support for Paxton in a tight Texas Senate race against James Talarico, with fundraising and messaging intensifying ahead of Election Day. Polls show a close contest, while Musk signals major spending to bolster Republicans, including Paxton, in Texas and beyond.
Abdul El-Sayed has apologized for remarks linking a Temple Israel attack to broader context as he campaigns in Michigan. He has been distancing himself from Hasan Piker amid internal party tensions and facing questions over Israel policy as Democrat Mike Rogers presses the race.
Republicans face historic losses as polling indicates a difficult path to defending Senate seats in several battleground states. Even as private polls suggest some optimism, analysts warn the overall map remains unfavorable two months before the election.
Republicans have planned a first‑ever midterm convention in Dallas for September 9–10 to rally support and raise money, but dozens of House candidates have told Politico they will skip it. Organisers have set high ticket and donor prices, including roundtables priced up to $250,000 and a photo with the president for $88,600, prompting criticism inside the party and from donors.
MAGA Inc. has opened a $10 million television and digital ad campaign to boost Ken Paxton’s U.S. Senate bid against Democrat James Talarico in a race that has become unexpectedly competitive in Texas. The buy is the first major general-election spend from Trump’s super PAC this cycle and will run positive spots for Paxton and attack ads against Talarico.
Sen. John Fetterman has recorded a one-minute video praising Republican Sen. Dave McCormick and saying he will work with President Trump to defend Pennsylvania’s steel industry. The clip has intensified Democratic doubts about Fetterman’s party loyalty, prompted fresh talk of a possible party switch and handed Republicans a high‑profile talking point ahead of the Nov. 3 midterms.
Voters head to the polls as midterms approach, with forecasts suggesting Democrats may defend the Senate and House in a challenging political climate. Inflation, Iran tensions, and Trump-era dynamics are shaping campaigns and fundraising. Maps and debates are intensifying as campaigns stress costs and stability.
Dr. Amy Acton’s campaign event at the Canfield Fair was interrupted when an armed individual lunged toward her. Law enforcement stopped the threat; Acton was unharmed and no serious injuries are reported. The incident, which occurred as Acton campaigns in Ohio’s gubernatorial race, underscores the persistent risks surrounding political events as elections approach.
The Republican midterm convention is underway in Dallas with Trump set to speak on both nights, as organizers chase turnout amid flagging support and a crowded field. Donors are offered tickets and VIP experiences, while several high-profile Republicans skip the event, citing cost and strategic concerns. The schedule features Trump, Vance, and key GOP leaders as the party aims to energize voters ahead of November.
Jimmy Kimmel has said he will post his interview with Democratic Senate candidate James Talarico to YouTube rather than air it on ABC, saying the FCC under President Donald Trump has threatened his show and ABC affiliates. ABC and Disney have sued the FCC over early licence reviews and new guidance on equal-time rules; other late-night hosts have moved candidate interviews online.
President Donald Trump has said the US war with Iran will end immediately after the November midterm elections and has predicted oil prices will tumble once voting is over. His comments have come as Brent crude has climbed above $100 a barrel, attacks around the Strait of Hormuz have intensified and US gas and diesel prices have risen.
Trump has pledged a $5,000 dividend for every American if Republicans retain control of Congress; the plan faces legal, fiscal and political hurdles and is criticized by experts and opponents as economically risky.
President Donald Trump has promised a $5,000 payment to every adult U.S. citizen if Republicans retain control of both chambers in the November midterms. The White House has released only a short fact sheet; Republicans, legal experts and budget analysts have questioned the plan’s legality, its roughly $1.2–1.4 trillion cost and how the payments would be funded or authorised without Congress.
The whistleblower disclosures have prompted lawmakers to demand answers as officials face scrutiny over how voter data is accessed and logged. Officials say state restrictions on voter lookups are at risk of being bypassed as federal probes seek data across multiple states.
Democrats and Republicans are flooding the airwaves with advertising ahead of Election Day, with hundreds of millions of dollars flowing through campaigns and allied groups. Cash on hand and spending patterns are shaping the battlefield, particularly in toss-up races where incumbents often hold the financial edge.
Vice President Kamala Harris has appeared with Democratic Senate nominee Abdul El‑Sayed at a Detroit-area roundtable on Black maternal health as Democrats push to flip a pivotal Michigan Senate seat now less than six weeks from Election Day. El‑Sayed has faced criticism over his positions on Israel; Harris is aiming to boost turnout among Black voters in Wayne County.
Early voting has begun in multiple states as the federal government has pursued legal and investigative efforts to challenge mail voting and hunt for noncitizen voters. The Supreme Court has blocked new federal limits on mail ballots, states are sending millions of absentee ballots, and the DOJ and DHS have opened investigations and filed charges in several states.
The Senate war powers debate has progressed with Republicans leaning toward endorsing a resolution to end the Iran war as fuel prices remain high and voters demand relief. Lawmakers have increasingly tied costs of living to military actions while Democrats press for accountability ahead of the midterms.
Developing contests across the U.S. see heavy spending from national committees and super PACs. Texas, North Carolina, Ohio, Iowa, and Kansas are among the states where ads and funding shifts aim to influence close races. The dynamic spending reflects a broader scramble to protect or seize Senate control as Election Day approaches.
AP News and NYT report on Texas politics show Paxton travel costs and redistricting pressures; Bobby Pulido enters House race in Rio Grande Valley; Trump-era redistricting shapes race.
The president has traveled to Ohio to bolster Republican candidates ahead of the midterms, highlighting data-center policy and energy costs while facing questions about the economy and Iran-related tensions. The trip underscores concerns about inflation and turnout in key battleground districts.
Democratic candidates in swing districts are breaking with party leadership on issues from transgender sports to governance, signaling a rift as the 2026 midterms approach. The disputes highlight tensions between ideology, campaign messaging, and district-specific priorities as Republicans push for accountability on social issues.
Elon Musk has given roughly $366m this cycle to Republican groups, including $158m to the Senate Leadership Fund and about $76m to his own America PAC, filings show. Much of the money is financing heavy advertising and turnout operations in Texas and other battlegrounds, reviving vulnerable campaigns and freeing national GOP resources for other contests.
Democrats have surged in unusual Senate and governor races in red states, leveraging outsider candidates to challenge incumbents. Texas, Kansas and South Carolina show tossups in closely watched races, while independents and unconventional figures reshape the field. The broader map hints at a potential expansion of the political playing field, though outcomes remain uncertain.