Ballotpedia

Ballotpedia reports that 17,205 major-party candidates ran for Congress and state offices in 2026, including the largest number of U.S. House candidates since 2018. The figures point to unusually high interest in running for office ahead of the midterm elections. Observers are watching whether the crowded field signals heightened political engagement or fallout from recent national battles.

Ballotpedia News has published edition #225 of its Hall Pass series, a recurring feature aimed at helping readers understand school board politics. The newsletter covers developments in local school governance, including board decisions, elections, and policy disputes affecting school districts across the United States.