Story perspectives

Cook Rates 28 Races Toss-Ups Ahead of 2026 Midterms

By Drooid · Oct 15, 2026, 2:31 PM UTC · How we work

Center

Trump approval slump

U.S. voters will cast ballots on November 3, 2026 in the midterm elections for House and Senate seats.
Polls show President Donald Trump’s approval near 37 % and voters want change, leaving dozens of House and Senate races as toss-ups and threatening Republican control.
The Cook Political Report lists 21 House and seven Senate districts as toss-ups.
An AP-NORC poll shows 80 % of voters rank economy or cost of living as issues.

Left

Wealth-driven political influence

U.S. voters will cast ballots on November 3, 2026 in the midterm elections to choose members of the House of Representatives and the Senate.
Elon Musk’s $366 million spending illustrates how billionaire donors can shape elections and raises concerns about wealth-driven political influence.
Musk’s America PAC funded a Senate-focused super PAC since last year.
MAGA Inc held $416 million cash and spent on the Texas Senate race in August.

Blindspot

Elon Musk’s America PAC spent $366 million on Republican candidates since last year, including funds for a Senate-focused super PAC, according to the PAC’s filings.
Within this story’s sources, this angle appears mainly in Left-leaning coverage and receives less attention in Center-leaning coverage.

History

Historical Context

The 2010 Supreme Court ruling in Citizens United v. FEC, decided in June 2010, lifted limits on corporate political spending. Following the decision, the Federal Election Commission recorded $165 million in independent expenditures during the 2010 midterm cycle, a 300 % increase from 2006. Today’s 2026 midterms echo that precedent as Elon Musk’s America PAC has already poured $366 million into Republican races, rivaling historic donor influence. The enduring impact suggests that unchecked spending may reshape electoral outcomes, prompting calls for reform similar to the 2010 campaign-finance debates.

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Trump approval slump

U.S. voters will cast ballots on November 3, 2026 in the midterm elections for House and Senate seats.
Polls show President Donald Trump’s approval near 37 % and voters want change, leaving dozens of House and Senate races as toss-ups and threatening Republican control.
The Cook Political Report lists 21 House and seven Senate districts as toss-ups.
An AP-NORC poll shows 80 % of voters rank economy or cost of living as issues.

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