Governor News & Analysis

Texas, North Carolina Kick off 2026 Primaries

March 4, 2026 · 10:10 AM EST

By Jacob Rubashkin and Nathan L. Gonzales

Voters in Texas, North Carolina and Arkansas officially kicked off the 2026 election cycle with a large and exciting slate of important primaries. The matchup is officially set in one of the marquee Senate races in the country (North Carolina) and a vulnerable…

Podcast Episode 66: The Land of Illinois Primaries w/ Shia Kapos of Politico

February 27, 2026 · 2:05 PM EST

Nathan Gonzales, Jacob Rubashkin and Shia Kapos of Politico's Illinois Playbook dive deep into the upcoming Illinois primaries including the Democratic race to succeed Sen. Dick Durbin and a handful of crowded and competitive House primaries, where as little as 20 percent of the vote could be enough to effectively…

Texas: Republicans, Democrats Face Critical Early Primaries

February 19, 2026 · 2:29 PM EST

By Patrick Svitek

The Texas primary feels bigger than ever. While the November elections are still eight months away, more than a dozen consequential primaries in the Lone Star State are rapidly approaching.

At the top of the ticket, a longtime Senate incumbent, Republican John Cornyn, is struggling to win…

Report Shorts (Feb. 19, 2026)

February 19, 2026 · 2:28 PM EST

Arizona Governor. Karrin Taylor Robson suspended her campaign leaving two Republican congressmen, Andy Biggs and David Schweikert, to battle for the GOP nomination. Biggs is regarded as the frontrunner with President Donald Trump’s support. But Schweikert is making the case that his experience in competitive general elections is valuable in…

Report Shorts (Feb. 5, 2026)

by Jacob Rubashkin February 5, 2026 · 2:28 PM EST

California Governor. San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan jumped into the crowded field that already includes eight notable Democrats, including Rep. Eric Swalwell, former Rep. Katie Porter, former HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra, former Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigossa, billionaire Tom Steyer and more. There are also two Republicans running, Riverside County…

Podcast Episode 64: ICE Shootings + Minnesota Politics w/ Ryan Faircloth of Star Tribune

January 31, 2026 · 8:48 PM EST

Nathan Gonzales, Jacob Rubashkin and Ryan Faircloth of the Star Tribune analyze the impact of the surge of ICE agents and border patrol and two fatal shootings in the Twin Cities on key Minnesota races for governor, Senate and the House and talk about how previous political assassinations in the…

Report Shorts (January 22, 2026)

January 22, 2026 · 2:22 PM EST

California’s 1st District. The special election to replace the late-GOP Rep. Doug LaMalfa will be August 4, the latest possible date that could be set by Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom in accordance with state law. It’s technically possible that a new member could get elected in the June 2 primary,…

Podcast Episode 63: 2026 Predictions with Jonathan Martin of Politico

January 15, 2026 · 2:22 PM EST

Nathan Gonzales, Jacob Rubashkin and Jonathan Martin of Politico make their bold predictions for 2026, covering the fight for the House, Senate, governors and the beginning of the 2028 presidential race. Jacob and Nathan also cover the can’t miss headlines and latest news in races in Alaska, Florida, Wyoming and…

It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like … a Traditional Midterm Election

by Nathan L. Gonzales December 4, 2025 · 8:00 AM EST

The special election result in Tennessee’s 7th District is just the latest piece of evidence that, in spite of President Donald Trump’s reputation as a political savant, 2026 is beginning to look a lot like a traditional midterm. 

There's a perception that normal rules don't apply to Trump, who…

House & Governor Report Shorts (Nov. 20, 2025)

November 20, 2025 · 2:27 PM EST

California Governor. Billionaire Democratic donor Tom Steyer is running for governor. The 2020 presidential candidate joins a massive field of Democrats that also includes former Rep. Katie Porter, former HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra, former Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, former state Controller Betty Yee, former state Assemblyman Ian Calderon, state…