GOP candidates walk back abortion stance Rhetorical shifts from some in Wisconsin, Pennsylvania and Kansas exemplify the liabilities of abortion restriction Salon · Oct 18
Early Voting Opens Now Across the U.S.—Here's the Complete Guide for 39 Million Latino Voters Early voting is live in Georgia and opens Oct. 19 in Texas. The complete state-by-state guide for 39 million Latino voters before November 3. Latin Times · Oct 17
Musk tries to save Paxton campaign Musk transformed Texas’ U.S. Senate race with a massive cash infusion to the Senate GOP’s main outside group Salon · Oct 17
How Early Voting Could End Texas Democrats' 38-Year Senate Drought — And Why Latinos Hold the Key Talarico leads Paxton 50–47 in Texas. Latino voters back him 54–41 as early voting opens Oct. 19 in a race that could flip the Senate. Latin Times · Oct 16
Weekly Brew: October 16, 2026 Welcome to Ballotpedia’s Weekly Brew. Each week, we’ll bring you a collection of the most-viewed stories from the Daily Brew, condensed, along with other content from across Ballotpedia that we think you’ll like. Ballotpedia · Oct 16
How Gina Hinojosa went from progressive to populist, emerging as Greg Abbott’s most formidable challenger Hinojosa has gone from unknown state lawmaker to Abbott’s most viable Democratic challenger yet — a surge that has dared Democrats to wonder if she could actually topple this mainstay of the Texas Republican establishment. The Texas Tribune · Oct 16
Tracker: Article III federal judicial nominations by president by days in office since 2001 There were 28 vacancies out of 890 authorized federal judicial posts as of Oct. 15. All 28 were for Article III judgeships. This report is limited to Article III courts, where appointees are confirmed to lifetime judgeships. Ballotpedia · Oct 16
Pro-Cruz PAC launches seven-figure Spanish-language ad buy attacking Talarico Aimed at Hispanic voters, the new ad from Truth and Courage PAC attacks Democrat James Talarico over his past comments on gender and sexuality. The Texas Tribune · Oct 16
Election deniers urge Trump: go extreme A vocal group of activists has Trump’s ear, but it remains unclear how the president will respond Salon · Oct 16
Alaska Senate race heats up as Sullivan, Peltola clash over Iran war, fuel costs Anchorage witnessed a heated debate among major U.S. Senate candidates, focusing on the Iran war and energy policy. Republican Senator Dan Sullivan emphasized the need to end the war while advocating for increased Alaskan energy production. Democrat Mary Peltola criticized the war's effects on Alaskans and refuted Sullivan's claims about… The Economic Times · Oct 16
Strong majority of voters believes Trump is failing at home and abroad: AP-NORC poll Federal authorities are investigating suspicious mailings received by congressional and election offices across the country. With Election Day approaching, the mailings are deemed potentially hazardous by law enforcement. In time, US President Trump plans to host rallies in support of Republican candidates in Iowa. Candidates are also navigating fundraising challenges… The Economic Times · Oct 16
Elon Musk is the donor behind Senate Republicans’ massive rescue mission for Ken Paxton The world’s wealthiest man transformed Texas’ U.S. Senate race with a massive cash infusion to the Senate GOP’s main outside group, which has taken over the airwaves with ads boosting Paxton. The Texas Tribune · Oct 15
Trump says John Cornyn and Karl Rove to blame if Ken Paxton loses Senate race If Ken Paxton loses to James Talarico, blame would fall on weak Republicans who failed to close ranks, the president said on social media. The Texas Tribune · Oct 15
What Happens When 2 Dan Sullivans Run for the Same Senate Seat? Should it be illegal to run for office against someone with your same name? Reason · Oct 15
The Texas Tribune · Oct 15 Talarico raises $64 million in third quarter, more than any U.S. Senate candidate on record The Democratic U.S. Senate nominee says he’s raised more than $134 million over the past year.
The Independent UK · Oct 15 Trump hit by brutal midterm poll as voters turn against his economy and Iran war A strong majority of voters believe that President Donald Trump is falling short at home and abroad
The Texas Tribune · Oct 15 At CNN town hall, Senate candidate James Talarico woos moderate and undecided voters The Austin Democrat used the forum, absent rival Ken Paxton, to discuss policy and present himself as a moderate. Republicans cast those efforts as contrary to his record.
The Texas Tribune · Oct 14 Ken Paxton to close Senate campaign with “Come and Take It” bus tour ending at the Alamo The Republican nominee plans to hit over 30 stops across Texas, concluding with a stop at the Alamo on the eve of Election Day, as he competes in an intensely close Senate race against Democrat James Talarico.
Latin Times · Oct 14 Midterms 2026 Turn Real: Early Ballots Flow as Forecasters Give Dems 83% House Odds Iowa and Georgia launched early voting this week with three weeks to go. Forecasters now give Democrats 83% odds in the House and 61% in the Senate.
The Texas Tribune · Oct 14 In competitive North Texas Senate race, GOP candidate sheds her “ultra MAGA” label In a district Trump won by 17 points, Republican Leigh Wambsganss no longer describes herself as ultra-MAGA in her rematch with Democrat Taylor Rehmet.
We Got This Covered · Oct 14 Trump endorsed South Dakota Sen. Mike Rounds last year, and now Rounds’ campaign has removed the president from parts of its website The campaign claims its about the general message
We Got This Covered · Oct 13 Kari Lake targets James Talarico with a wild claim about his 9-day absence. Then she reveals what she thinks he was hiding: ‘bottom surgery’ Border Kari Lake, ladies and gentlemen.
The Independent UK · Oct 13 Kacey Musgraves uses brutal puppy takedown to shred Kristi Noem Noem revealed in her 2024 memoir that she shot her 14-month-old dog to death
Roll Call · Oct 13 Suddenly competitive Iowa now pivotal to midterm election By Evyn Ableson, Lindsay Augustine, Sean Campbell, Benjamin Gamson, Leo Li, Lizzy Liautaud, Maybeline Tucker DAVENPORT, Iowa — In a critical visit to the heartland, Speaker Mike Johnson laid out the stakes clearly as he stood alongside Republican Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks, imploring Iowans to “defy history” and help him preserve…
Capital & Main · Oct 13 In Texas Senate Race, Talarico and Paxton Both Promise Relief From Rising Energy Costs The candidates are miles apart on climate, but both are making affordability a central issue as Texans grapple with spiking prices.