Author: Joseph Brusgard
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Third-fewest Florida state legislative incumbents at any point since 2010 facing a primary challenge
Sixteen Florida state legislative incumbents face primary contests in 2026, the third-fewest at any point since 2010. This is a 23% increase in the number of incumbents facing challengers compared to 2024. Three of the contested incumbents are Democrats, and 13 are Republicans. All 16 are state representatives. Florida has 55 contested state legislative primaries…
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A look at where the candidates stand on local control and school curriculum ahead of the Aug. 18 Republican primary for Wyoming Superintendent of Public Instruction
Three candidates are running in the Republican primary for Wyoming’s Superintendent of Public Instruction on August 18, 2026. All three candidates have answered Ballotpedia’s Candidate Connection survey. Incumbent Megan Degenfelder (R) is running for governor. She was first elected superintendent in 2022, defeating incumbent Brian Schroeder (R). This will be the second general election in…
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Larry Rhoden becomes the first South Dakota governor in history to win a primary for a full-term after ascenion to office
On July 28, South Dakota Governor Larry Rhoden (R) won the state’s first-ever primary runoff to win a full term as governor. He defeated car dealer Toby Doeden (R) 72% to 28%. Rhoden became governor in 2025 after Gov. Kristi Noem (R) resigned to serve as Secretary of Homeland Security. Rhoden’s victory makes him the…
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Battleground election in Pennsylvania's 7th Congressional District is more expensive than 2024 at this point in the cycle
Incumbent Ryan Mackenzie (R), Bob Brooks (D), and three other candidates are running in the general election for Pennsylvania's 7th Congressional District on November 3, 2026. Lehigh Valley Public Media's Tom Shortell wrote, "The seat is considered one of the last toss-up U.S. House seats in America thanks to its near equal numbers of registered…
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Prediction markets approach $200 million in settled contracts
An NBC News analysis found that in this election cycle, approximately $200 million has been wagered in prediction markets, where users have bet on election outcomes across the country. According to the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC), a prediction market is a platform where users buy and sell contracts tied to the outcome of future…
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A total of 107 state executives are retiring in 2026; the most retirements in a year since 2018
In July, the filing deadline passed in one state, Delaware, on July 14. Delaware is the final state holding state executive elections in 2026 to have a filing deadline pass. There are six state executive offices in Delaware. Three, the governor, lieutenant governor, and insurance commissioner, were up for election in 2024. Three other offices…
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Senate control is at stake for both parties in the competitive race for U.S. Senate in Georgia
Incumbent Jon Ossoff (D), Mike Collins (R), and five other candidates are running for United States Senate in Georgia on November 3, 2026. Georgia Recorder's Ross Williams wrote, "[I]f Democrats want a chance to gain control of the Senate, they’ll need to defend Georgia and other states with vulnerable Democratic incumbents while picking up at…
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Generational change versus experience a theme in the Democratic primary for Massachusetts' 8th Congressional District
Incumbent Stephen Lynch (D) and Patrick Roath (D) are running in the Democratic primary for Massachusetts' 8th Congressional District on September 1, 2026. WBUR's Anthony Brooks wrote, "The race is one of many primary contests across the country pitting the power of incumbency against a call for generational change." Roath has criticized Lynch's record, saying…
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Second-most incumbents retiring in a midterm year in Kansas since 2010
Seventeen Kansas state legislative incumbents are retiring in 2026, the second-highest number in any midterm election since 2010. This is a 29% decrease in the number of incumbents retiring compared to 2022. In Kansas, state representatives are up for election every two years, while state senators are up every four years (presidential election years). Fourteen…
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Von Wilpert (D) and Desmond (R) face off in CA-48 after Prop 50 redraw shifted district 18 points toward Democrats
Marni von Wilpert (D) and Jim Desmond (R) are running in the general election for California's 48th Congressional District on November 3, 2026. Incumbent Darrell Issa (R) is retiring from public office. Times of San Diego's Andrew Keatts wrote the election "is among the most-watched contests in the nation, and could determine partisan control of…