Democratic nominee for US Senate James Talarico delivers a speech at a rally held at the University of Texas’s Hogg Auditorium, Austin, Texas, October 23, 2026 (Ellis Jarvis/KUT News)
In a 38-minute analysis, I joined State of Affair’s Aine Lawlor and Chris Donoghue to preview next Tuesday’s US mid-term elections, amid the Trump camp’s threat to the future of the American system.
I set out the state of the races for the Senate and the House. The Democrats almost certainly will have a majority in the latter — but how large? — while outcomes in the upper chamber range from the Republicans retaining their 53-47 majority to Democrats taking control.
More importantly, I assess if the outcome will check the Trumpist quest for authoritarianism. I evaluate if Trump’s inner circle may try to block the results, possibily seizing voting machines. I look at the response of J.D. Vance and Marco Rubio, both likely to run for President in 2028, and Republican legislators.
Can Democrats deliver on promises over the economy, the War on Iran, and an end to corruption? And can they secure the US agencies gutted by Trump’s quest for power?
