2026 election

NPR examines whether clergy running for office could help Democrats become competitive in Republican-leaning states. The report explores how candidates with religious backgrounds may connect with conservative voters on moral and community terms, testing a new electoral strategy for the party ahead of the 2026 midterms.

News outlets are turning their focus to the 2026 United States midterm elections, with early coverage of congressional polls and campaigns taking shape. All 435 House seats and about a third of the Senate will be up for grabs in November, and political watchers are beginning to track polling, candidate announcements and party strategies that could reshape Congress and test President Donald Trump's second term.

Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez is playing down talk of a potential 2028 presidential run, saying the focus should be on the 2026 midterm elections. She has been mentioned as a possible Democratic contender amid speculation about the party's future leadership. Commenters are weighing whether she is genuinely deferring ambitions or keeping options open ahead of the midterms.

ABC7 Chicago has published a guide for the 2026 US midterm elections covering Illinois, Indiana and Wisconsin, explaining when Election Day falls, how to register to vote, and where to find early voting and polling place information. The guide is aimed at helping residents across the three states prepare to cast ballots in next year's midterms.

Pennsylvania Senator John Fetterman has pushed back against criticism that he is a bad senator, amid frustration from fellow Democrats. He has repeatedly criticized his own party, fueling speculation that he could caucus with Republicans after the 2026 midterm elections. Speaking at the Texas Tribune Festival, Fetterman defended his record and his independent streak, insisting his bipartisan approach serves Pennsylvania voters rather than party interests.

The Supreme Court has issued a ruling concerning the Department of Homeland Security's voter database, and officials in California have confirmed it will not affect the state's 2026 general election. The decision addresses how federal voter data is handled, but California's election administration will proceed unchanged, according to the Lassen County News.

California's 2026 attorney general election is shaping up as a repeat of the primary matchup, with incumbent Democrat Rob Bonta heavily favored to win re-election. The rematch dynamic echoes the earlier contest, and with Bonta holding the advantages of incumbency and strong name recognition in the state, observers see the outcome as likely to favor the incumbent heading into the general election.