State Senate

News outlets are beginning to cover the 2026 United States midterm elections, with early polls for congressional races drawing attention. Coverage includes polling on the House and Senate as parties position themselves ahead of the vote. The contests will shape control of Congress during the second half of Donald Trump's term.

New York State Senator Jeremy Cooney has introduced legislation to create universal healthcare coverage for children across New York. The measure would guarantee health insurance for all children in the state regardless of family income. Details on cost, funding and the bill's prospects remain limited, and reactions from other lawmakers have not yet been widely reported.

With Election Day approaching in Texas, voters still have not seen a debate in either the US Senate race or the gubernatorial contest. Spectrum News reports that no debates have been scheduled or held between the leading candidates in the state's top races, leaving many voters without a direct head-to-head comparison before casting their ballots.

Dan Osborn, an independent candidate for US Senate in Nebraska, said voters in the state are 'not fooled' by Donald Trump and Pete Ricketts. The remarks frame his campaign against the state's Republican establishment, positioning himself as an alternative to party-backed candidates ahead of the election.

Michigan is drawing attention as part of the 2026 United States election cycle, with coverage beginning to frame the state as one to watch. The governor's office and a US Senate seat are among the contests on the ballot that year. Little concrete detail has emerged so far, and early coverage largely signals that campaigns and voters are starting to focus on the state.

New York State Senator Cooney has introduced legislation to create universal healthcare coverage for children across the state. The proposal would guarantee that every child in New York has health coverage regardless of family income or insurance status. Details on the bill's provisions, cost, and prospects in the state legislature have not yet been widely reported.

Connecticut State Senator Ryan Fazio has put forward what he calls a 'grand bargain' on housing: measures aimed at lowering housing costs while preserving towns' local control over zoning and development. The proposal, reported by CT Examiner, is drawing attention in a state where affordable housing and municipal zoning authority have long been at odds.

President Donald Trump is pressing the Senate to pass permanent daylight saving time, using an unusual tactic: publicly sharing Senator Tom Cotton's phone number to encourage constituents to call their lawmaker directly. The move puts daylight saving time back in the national spotlight, an issue that has repeatedly surfaced in Congress as states and the public continue to debate whether to end the twice-yearly clock changes.

California state senators Scott Wiener and Connie Chan faced off in their second congressional debate for the San Francisco seat being vacated by Nancy Pelosi. The two Democrats clashed over artificial intelligence regulation and public safety, issues central to the district. Wiener has been a prominent author of AI-related legislation in the state senate, while Chan has positioned herself differently on tech and safety policy.

CNN Politics has published a ranking of US Senate races considered most likely to change party control, offering a state-by-state look at the contests that could decide the chamber's majority. The analysis is drawing attention as observers assess which incumbents are vulnerable and where campaigns are most competitive ahead of the elections.

Arkansas Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders has moved up the date of a special election to fill a vacant state Senate seat, according to the Arkansas Advocate. The change means voters in the district will go to the polls earlier than originally scheduled. No further details on the reasons for the timing shift or the candidates were provided.

The Senate has passed the Protect College Sports Act, raising questions about how the legislation will affect collegiate athletics in Connecticut. Local coverage is examining potential implications for the state's college sports programs, including eligibility rules and athletic operations. Details of the bill's provisions and its path in the House remain a focus of discussion.

Senator Chris Coons and Representative Sarah McBride joined local leaders in Delaware to assess coastal damage caused by a recent storm. They called for additional federal funding to rebuild the state's beaches, arguing that restoration of the shoreline is needed to protect coastal communities and the local economy from future storm damage.

Independent US Senate candidate Dan Osborn said Nebraska voters are 'not fooled' by former President Donald Trump and Senator Pete Ricketts. The remarks come as he campaigns against the state's Republican establishment, positioning himself as a populist alternative. The comments drew attention as part of his effort to appeal to working-class Nebraskans across party lines.

Donald Trump is holding a campaign event in Nebraska alongside Republican Senate candidate Pete Ricketts. The visit comes as ranchers in the state voice frustration over Trump's plan to increase beef imports, which they argue would undercut domestic cattle producers. Nebraska is a major cattle-ranching state, making the import policy a politically sensitive issue there.

Former US Senator John E. Sununu faced questions about his loyalty to Donald Trump during a public forum in Nashua, New Hampshire. Attendees and moderators pressed him on his stance toward the president, a recurring issue for Republicans in the state that holds the nation's first presidential primary. New Hampshire media covered the exchange as Sununu weighs his political future.

CNN is asking the public to submit questions for James Talarico, a Democratic candidate for the US Senate seat in Texas. Talarico, a state lawmaker, is running in the 2026 race, and the callout suggests the outlet plans to put audience questions to him ahead of the contest.