Author: Joseph Brusgard
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Seventeen Kentucky state legislative incumbents will face primary challenges in 2026
Seventeen Kentucky state legislative incumbents face primary contests in 2026, the fewest since 13 incumbents ran in contested 2020 primaries. Thirteen of the contested incumbents are Republicans, and four are Democrats. Fourteen are state representatives, and three are state senators. Kentucky has 40 contested state legislative primaries in 2026, down 5% from 2024. Of these,…
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Eight candidates are running in the Republican primary for governor of Georgia on May 19
Eight candidates are running in the Republican primary for Georgia governor on May 19, 2026. Four candidates have led in media attention: For more information about each candidate's policies, click here. Cook Political Report with Amy Walter's Matthew Klein wrote, "Ever the swing state, Georgia is gearing up for yet another competitive and expensive gubernatorial…
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Trump ended January with a 42% approval rating, the third consecutive month with this rating
President Donald Trump’s (R) approval ratings in his second term did not change from January, while the 119th Congress’s approval rating improved. At the end of January 2026, polling averages showed Trump’s approval rating was 42%, the same as it was in November and December 2025. Fifty-five percent of voters disapproved of his performance. The…
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Six state executives retired in states where the filing deadline passed in January
The filing deadline for candidates seeking office in 2026 passed in three states in January: Alabama (Jan. 23), Kentucky (Jan. 9), and West Virginia (Jan. 31). Kentucky and West Virginia do not hold state executive elections in mid-term years. In Alabama, nine state executive offices are up for election. Of those offices, six current officeholders…
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January saw President Donald Trump’s (R) fourth-lowest monthly executive order total thus far in his second term
January saw President Donald Trump’s (R) fourth-lowest monthly executive order total thus far in his second term President Donald Trump (R) issued nine executive orders in January, bringing his total to 234 in his second term. This was the third-lowest monthly total of his second term thus far. Trump issued orders on foreign policy, the…
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Four candidates are running in the Republican primary for Indiana's 4th Congressional District on May 5
Four candidates are running for the Republican nomination for Indiana's 4th Congressional District on May 5, 2026. Two candidates lead in media attention: Incumbent Jim Baird (R) and Craig Haggard (R). Baird, who turns 80 in June, is the 4th-oldest Republican in the U.S. House. The Cook Political Report with Amy Walter's Erin Covey wrote…
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Amy Klobuchar becomes the fourth U.S. Senator from Minnesota to run for governor since 1913
On January 29, Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D) announced she would run for governor of Minnesota. Her announcement comes weeks after incumbent Tim Walz (D) withdrew his re-election bid, making the seat open for the first time since 2018. Klobuchar’s entry makes her the fifth current or former U.S. senator running for governor of their state…
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Three candidates are running in the Democratic primary for Mississippi's 2nd Congressional District on March 10, 2026
Incumbent Bennie Thompson (D), Evan Turnage (D), and Pertis Williams III (D) are running in the Democratic primary for Mississippi's 2nd Congressional District on March 10, 2026. Thompson and Turnage have led in media attention. The primary is similar to other Democratic primaries this cycle, in which older, long-serving incumbents face challenges from younger candidates…
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Alaska's federal elections are using ranked-choice voting (RCV) for the third consecutive cycle
On January 12, 2026, former U.S. Rep. Mary Peltola (D) announced her campaign for U.S. Senate against incumbent Dan Sullivan (R). With Peltola’s entry into the race, we’re taking a look at Alaska’s use of ranked-choice voting (RCV) since its adoption in 2020 and how it's played out in other statewide elections. Peltola was first…
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More former members of Congress have announced candidacies for a non-consecutive term in any cycle since 2016
This year, 19 former House members announced candidacies for a non-consecutive term. Three former Senators have announced campaigns for office, meaning a total of 22 former members of Congress have announced candidacies, the highest number in any cycle going back to 2016. The 19 House members are running in 13 states, though two — Rod…