from States Newsroom
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By Robin Opsahl |
Democrats are growing more optimistic about their chances to retake control of Congress as the Nov. 3, 2026 midterm elections draws closer, in part because of polls and predictions showing voters favoring Democrats because of frustration with President Donald Trump and Republicans’ approach to issues like the Iran war and rising costs.
In an interview with States Newsroom, Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee Chair Kirsten Gillibrand said the president's low approval ratings and the ongoing war in Iran remind her of the 2006 election cycle, when the party flipped both chambers of Congress. Gillibrand said she was confident Democrats will be able to keep Georgia, Michigan and New Hampshire, while possibly flipping seats in Alaska, Iowa, Maine, North Carolina, Ohio and Texas.
Charlie Cook, the founder of the political forecaster Cook Political Report, said in an interview on ABC News’ “This Week” with Martha Raddatz he agreed with election watchers who predict the House will flip to Democratic control in 2026.
Cook said in the interview, “The House has been kind of a done deal for a good while. But the Senate, a year ago, it wasn't realistic to think that the Senate might flip, but now, it's very realistic.” He said the sentiment motivating voters in the election cycle less of a “pro-Democrat” wave, and more of an “anti-Trump” movement.
On the campaign trail, Republicans have regularly highlighted tax cuts made through the 2025 “One Big, Beautiful Bill” Act to show their commitment to lowering costs for average Americans. Some Republicans are also trying to highlight their efforts to pursue a broad anti-trans agenda alongside President Donald Trump’s administration, as Republicans on the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee used a hearing Wednesday to continue voicing opposition to transgender athletes competing in women’s sports.
TOP IMPACT
The U.S. Capitol building in Washington, D.C. (Photo by Jennifer Shutt/States Newsroom)
By Ashley Murray | News from the States
Despite skyrocketing fuel prices and sinking approval ratings for President Donald Trump’s conflict in Iran ahead of the November midterms, Senate Republicans blocked Democrats’ efforts Thursday to check the president’s unfettered military action in the Middle East.
Sens. Susan Collins, R-Maine, Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, Rand Paul, R-Ky., and Thom Tillis, R-N.C., joined Democrats in supporting the House-approved Iran War Powers Resolution. But the number of Republicans who wanted to curb Trump’s prolonged military action in the Islamic Republic fell short in the final tally of 49-50.
Police officers exit a polling station in New York City. Voters in nine states will decide on 11 ballot measures this fall addressing a variety of criminal justice and drug policies. (Photo by Drew Angerer/Getty Images)
By Amanda Watford | Stateline
Voters in nine states will weigh changes to their criminal legal systems and drug policies this fall.
The Nov. 3 ballot measures include questions about pretrial release, fentanyl and human trafficking penalties, immigration enforcement, traffic cameras, drug cartels and marijuana regulation. The measures reflect a recent increase in ballot proposals that would expand criminal penalties or limit opportunities for pretrial release, according to Ballotpedia, a nonpartisan election research organization. From 2012 through 2020, measures proposing to reduce penalties or bail restrictions outnumbered those proposing increases.
BIG PICTURE
The watchtower of CoreCivic’s former Prairie Correctional Facility, in Appleton, Minn., which will now be used as an ICE detention center, on Aug. 20, 2026. (Photo by Nicole Neri/Minnesota Reformer)
TRUMP ADMINISTRATION, CONGRESS AND COURTS
USA: Millions of dollars of waste found in Trump administration push for immigration detention | News from the States
TN: Federal judge denies request to block TN Highway Patrol traffic stops conducted in tandem with ICE | Tennessee Lookout
USA: Trump administration asks Supreme Court to permit quick third-country deportations | News from the States
TX: Cuellar and progressives form tenuous alliance amid Trump’s immigration crackdown | Texas Tribune
OH: ICE deportation flights surge at Ohio’s Akron-Canton Airport as unpaid landing fees mount | Ohio Capital Journal
USA: Venezuelan men shipped to brutal prison under Alien Enemies Act ask court for due process | News from the States
USA: Judge suggests Trump’s most recent birthright citizenship orders may require new lawsuit | News from the States
PA: ICE enforcement around healthcare facilities in Pa. leads to fears about immigrants who need care | Pennsylvania Capital-Star
WI: Federal immigration policy may be worsening Wisconsin’s caregiver shortage, leaders say | Wisconsin Examiner
USA: Flock surveillance cameras raise constitutional questions, bipartisan US senators say | News from the States
USA: Trump administration revokes $810M approved by Congress for refugee aid and more | News from the States
CT: Blumenthal, Lamont: Trump blocking Connecticut grants for political reasons | CT Mirror
USA: Doctors and hospitals to see lower Medicaid payments in three dozen states | Stateline
MO: Missouri Medicaid enrollee challenges Trump rule on work requirement exemptions | Missouri Independent
AR: Arkansas awards $54M in second round of federal rural healthcare funding | Arkansas Advocate
USA: FDA nominee faces skepticism on vaccines from Republican senators at confirmation hearing | News from the States
USA: More Americans lose SNAP as Congress weighs food stamps’ future | Stateline
VA: Federal judge strikes down SNAP deadline that put Virginia at risk of added costs | Virginia Mercury
ID: Idaho lawmakers hope to ensure timely doctor payments, treatment approvals in Medicaid transition | Idaho Capital Sun
MN: Mayo charged private insurance over four times more than Medicare for outpatient procedures in 2022 | Minnesota Reformer
USA: Federal judge orders White House must restore press passes to 3 banned news outlets | News from the States
CAMPAIGNS, VOTING AND ELECTION LAW
NC: A federal lawsuit challenges new North Carolina requirements for absentee ballot returns | NC Newsline
TX: Delayed Texas voter applications highlight how difficult it is to register in the state, experts say | Texas Tribune
GA: Mail-in voting is still an option for this year’s midterms. Here’s what voters should know. | Georgia Recorder
USA: Trump DOJ uses case of Utah letter carrier to highlight allegations of voting fraud | News from the States
MD: Democrats, unions, advocates push for support on Question 3 on redistricting | Maryland Matters
USA: Voters to decide fate of state taxes this fall | Stateline
CO: Cap on state revenue collection would rise under Colorado ballot measure | Colorado Newsline
WI: 3 constitutional amendments on Wisconsin ballots this fall | Wisconsin Examiner
KS: Kansas attorney general orders League of Women Voters to stop paying teens to register to vote | Kansas Reflector
NV: Nevada’s foremost election denier makes repeat run at state’s top election job | Nevada Current
MI: Former VP Kamala Harris stumps with Abdul El-Sayed in Michigan, highlighting Black maternal health | Michigan Advance
AL: Donald Trump to hold rally in Mobile amid Alabama GOP turnout concerns | Alabama Reflector
IA: Iowa’s US Senate candidates share fuel cost policies, trade criticisms on campaign trail | Iowa Capital Dispatch
GA: Top U.S. Senate Republican stumps with Collins in Georgia as seat appears to slip out of reach | Georgia Recorder
FL: Jolly to national Democrats: Show me some money | Florida Phoenix
ME: Democrats have been trying to nail Collins on corruption for years. Will this time be different? | Maine Morning Star
CA: Xavier Becerra gets to play it safe in the race for governor, and he isn’t making promises | CalMatters
OR: All of Oregon’s congressional districts are considered safe this year. Here’s why. | Oregon Capital Chronicle
TN: Democratic gubernatorial contender Jerri Green talks affordability, Republican supermajority | Tennessee Lookout
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