The Road to November: 2026 Midterm Elections

Redistricting usually only happens every 10 years following the census, but prior to the 2026 midterm elections Democrats and, especially, Republicans maneuvered for advantage by redrawing legislative congressional districts in many states. Will these new district maps help Republicans hold onto their slim House majority in a challenging political environment, or could aggressive redistricting put some incumbents at greater risk? How might the new maps affect electoral competition and the representation of communities of color?

University of Minnesota political scientist Kathryn Pearson is joined by Eric McGhee, Senior Fellow at the Public Policy Institute of California and one of the nation’s leading experts on redistricting to tackle these questions.

As Election Day draws near, control of Congress is on the line. Republicans are fighting to defend their razor-thin House and Senate majorities while Democrats look to flip one or both chambers. How will affordability, immigration, the war with Iran, and other major issues affect voters’ choices? Republican consultant Kirsten Kukowski and Democratic campaign strategist Rebecca Pearcey break down the strategies, battlegrounds, and key issues that will shape the 2026 midterm elections.

Donald Trump made significant gains among Black and Hispanic voters in 2024, fueling hopes in the GOP that voters of color could become a growing source of Republican strength. But the Trump administration’s immigration policies have complicated that picture, while growing numbers of voters of color are distancing themselves from both major parties. As the 2026 midterms approach, these voters could play a pivotal role in determining who controls Congress. A distinguished panel examines the fight for voters of color this fall.