Nathan Gonzales, Jacob Rubashkin, and Briana Bierschbach of the Minnesota Star-Tribune analyze the fight for the Minnesota Senate seat left behind by retiring Democratic Sen. Tina Smith, talk about whether DFL Gov. Tim Walz will seek a historic third term and look ahead to who might run for Rep.…
Kentucky Sen. Mitch McConnell’s announcement that he would not seek an eighth term in office was not a surprise. But the decision by the longest serving Senate leader in American history nonetheless caps an era of politics defined by the master tactician, who reshaped the federal judiciary and…
Michigan voters aren’t going to get much of a break. After being in the spotlight with competitive presidential and Senate races in 2024, the Wolverine State is set to host one of the most important Senate races in 2026.
Sen. Gary Peters upended Michigan politics when he made a surprise…
When New York Rep. Elise Stefanik is ultimately confirmed as the next U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations, voters in the Empire State’s 21st District will elect a new representative for the first time in a decade.
The special election to replace the rising GOP star may also develop into…
Arizona’s 1st District. Former broadcast journalist Marlene Galan-Woods was spotted at a Capitol Hill restaurant by National Journal’s James Downs, fueling speculation that she might challenge GOP Rep. Dave Schweikert again. She finished a close third in the 2024 Democratic primary. And Schweikert…
DFL Sen. Tina Smith announced Thursday that she won’t seek re-election in 2026, creating an open seat that could become more competitive next year.
While Republicans are expressing initial confidence in the takeover opportunity, the GOP’s track record in Minnesota is not good. Republicans have…
Nathan Gonzales, Jacob Rubashkin, and Jessica Taylor of The Cook Political Report with Amy Walter analyze the top three biggest races for governor in the 2026 cycle, the three most difficult races to rate at this early stage, and what’s ahead for the 2025 races for governor in Virginia and New…
By Jacob Rubashkin & Nathan L. Gonzales
The biggest potential for turnover in the 2026 midterms isn’t in Congress. It’s not even in Washington, DC, but in the states hosting 38 gubernatorial races over the next two years, including at least 14 open seats.
The 36 races taking place in 2026 are…
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