US EDITION · MIDTERMS 2026
Midterms 2026: both sides of the fight for Congress
THE FACTSElection Day is Tuesday, November 3. Republicans hold the Senate 53–47, so Democrats need a net gain of four seats for a majority; as of Oct 6 the Cook Political Report projected Democratic gains of two to six seats. In a Pew survey, 84% of registered voters called the economy very important to their vote.
LEFT
Check the President, fix affordability
Democrats argue that after nearly two years of unified Republican control, a majority is the only check on the administration. They promise to end the Iran war, restore health-care subsidies, overturn tariffs and reverse Medicaid cuts, and to investigate the administration with subpoenas and hearings.
Source: Christian Science Monitor ↗AllSides: Center
RIGHT
Who runs your life
Republicans argue their majority secured the border, drove down violent crime and passed the largest middle-class tax cut in history, including no tax on tips or overtime. They warn that Democrats would grow government, weaken policing and pack the Supreme Court.
Source: Fox News (opinion, Rep. Lisa McClain) ↗AllSides: Right
Where they agree
Both parties are treating the cost of living as the deciding issue: in the Pew survey the economy topped the list for Republican and Democratic voters alike (82% and 88% calling it very important). Pew Research Center ↗
Senate races to watch
- Kansas — Sen. Roger Marshall (R) vs. Adam Hamilton (D). Moved to Toss Up by Cook on Oct 6.
- New Hampshire (open seat) — Chris Pappas (D) vs. John Sununu (R). Lean Democratic.
- North Carolina — moved to Likely Democratic on Oct 6.
- Alaska — Sen. Dan Sullivan (R) vs. Mary Peltola (D), now also the subject of a Justice Department lawsuit (see this week’s lead story).
- Michigan and Maine — where Republicans hope to flip a Democratic seat (Michigan) and hold one of their own (Maine).
Ratings: Cook Political Report via 270toWin. Race-by-race, both-sides guides are being added before Election Day.
Ballot measures to watch
- Idaho Proposition 1 — would establish a legal right to abortion.
- Missouri Amendment 3 — would repeal the state’s reproductive-freedom amendment, ban abortion with exceptions, and bar certain medical procedures for transgender minors.
- Colorado Proposition 135 — would prohibit certain surgeries for transgender minors.
- Missouri Proposition A — asks voters whether to keep the state’s new congressional map.
- Colorado Amendment 86 — would require a nonpolitical commission and the state supreme court to approve congressional maps for 2028.
- California Proposition 40 — a one-time 5% tax on assets over $1 billion, for health care, food assistance and schools.
- Colorado Proposition 136 — would cap individual and corporate income tax rates at 4.4%.
- Massachusetts Question 8 — would end recreational marijuana sales while allowing limited possession.
Source: Ballotpedia, Oct 20, 2026.
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