gg2
Midterm elections coverage
Archived — this story has rotated out of today’s deck. It is kept here in full.
The gist
Midterm elections loom with parallels to 2006, as war and high prices agitate voters. Control of Congress for the rest of Trump's term is at stake.
Background
The 2026 midterm elections are approaching, with an unpopular war in the Middle East, high prices, and a president with dipping approval ratings. These conditions mirror the 2006 cycle when Democrats made significant gains. Both parties see similarities, though politics and campaigns have changed over 20 years.
How it unfolded
- Aug 18, 2026Primaries in Florida, Alaska, and Wyoming took place, with results shaping the general election landscape.
- Aug 20, 2026Analysis highlighted upcoming primaries in South Carolina, Oklahoma, New Hampshire, and Rhode Island, with key races like Alaska's Senate contest.
- Aug 23, 2026News analysis drew parallels between the current midterms and 2006, citing similar voter discontent.
Who’s saying what
- Democrats
- Senator Chuck Schumer called the analogy to 2006 'amazing,' seeing opportunities for Democratic gains.
- Republicans
- Republicans face a steep challenge due to an unpopular war and scandals, but the party is not explicitly quoted in the material.
- Analysts
- Vox's Astead Herndon argues the biggest electability problem belongs to Trump and Republicans, urging coverage to focus on Trump's drag.
Still unverified
The specific details of the war in the Middle East and its unpopularity are not fully detailed in the material.