Trump and Vance intensify campaign travel across key swing states
Trump and Vance expand campaign travel across swing states including Georgia and Arizona.
Event / Politics
US Midterm Election 2026
Coverage of the 2026 US midterm elections including Senate races, House contests, and state-level campaigns across multiple states including Texas and Georgia, along with related policy issues affecting voters.
3 reported locations
Daily activity
38 articles2 articles
2026-09-10 to 2026-10-26 · UTC publication dates
Coverage begins 10 Sept, 02:31 UTC
Follow the documented timeline or explore the related reporting.
What happened
Former U.S. Rep. Jim Renacci urges Republicans to distance themselves from the Ohio governor campaign ad
Former Republican U.S. Representative Jim Renacci posted a lengthy essay on X overnight urging every Republican to distance themselves from the ad in the Ohio governor’s race.
Cledith Arthur failed to appear for a court appearance and became a fugitive
Cledith Arthur, who was charged with raping his stepdaughter, failed to appear for a court appearance and became a fugitive. He has since died.
Vice President JD Vance criticizes Republicans who object to the ad during an Ohio campaign swing
Vice President JD Vance, an Ohio native, expressed disgust with Republicans who objected to the Ramaswamy ad, describing their objections as “whining” and characterizing the ad as low and in poor taste. He made the remarks during an Ohio campaign swing on Wednesday.
Republican Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine denounces ad featuring the birth mother of Democratic gubernatorial candidate Amy Acton
Ohio Republican Governor Mike DeWine publicly denounced a 60-second campaign ad that features Donna Arthur, the birth mother of Democratic gubernatorial candidate Amy Acton. DeWine called the ad “deeply, deeply troubling,” said “It’s wrong to run this ad,” and urged the campaign of Republican candidate Vivek Ramaswamy to take it down. DeWine, who is term-limited and has endorsed Ramaswamy as his successor, made the remarks to reporters at the Ohio Statehouse.
Cledith Arthur was arrested and charged in July 1978 with raping his 12-year-old stepdaughter, Amy Acton
Police and court records show that Cledith Arthur was arrested and charged in July 1978 with raping his stepdaughter, who was then 12 years old. The alleged abuse occurred from December 1976 to April 1978. The charge followed a report to authorities by Amy Acton’s biological father.
Ramaswamy campaign manager calls the ad “a campaign-ending moment for Amy Acton”
Jonathan Ewing, campaign manager for Vivek Ramaswamy, characterized the ad as “a campaign-ending moment for Amy Acton.”
Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose says he would not have run the ad
Republican Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose, who is running for state auditor, has stated that he would not have run the ad featuring Donna Arthur.
Acton’s campaign posts video of her brother supporting her account of childhood homelessness and abuse
On Tuesday, the campaign of Democratic gubernatorial candidate Amy Acton posted a video of her brother. In the video, he supports her account of living in a tent as a child and being abused.
Nikki Haley calls Vivek Ramaswamy “a bad guy” in a social media post
Former South Carolina Governor and 2024 Republican presidential candidate Nikki Haley called Vivek Ramaswamy “a bad guy” in a social media post on Tuesday. She wrote, “It’s a shame he continues to get away with it,” referring to his personal attacks.
U.S. Sen. Jon Husted says he would not have run the ad
Republican U.S. Senator Jon Husted, who is in a race for re-election against Democrat Sherrod Brown, has stated that he would not have run the ad featuring Donna Arthur.
Campaign ad features Donna Arthur calling Amy Acton “a liar” and suggesting she has mental health issues
The 60-second Ramaswamy campaign video features Donna Arthur, the birth mother of Democratic gubernatorial candidate Amy Acton. In the video, Arthur calls Acton “a liar” and insinuates that Acton has mental health issues.
Ohio Republican Party Chairman Alex Triantafilou posts “Yes—we are keeping score” in reference to Republican supporters
Ohio Republican Party Chairman Alex Triantafilou posted that “the final days of a tough campaign are always the best time to find out who is really with you and who just posts and pretends,” followed by “Yes—we are keeping score” and a winking-eye emoji.
Amy Acton previously served as Ohio’s health director in DeWine’s Cabinet during the COVID-19 pandemic
Democratic gubernatorial candidate Amy Acton served as Ohio’s health director during the COVID-19 pandemic and was a member of Governor Mike DeWine’s Cabinet. She is no longer in that position.
Conservative media figures Wayne Allyn Root and Michael Knowles praise the ad
Wayne Allyn Root of Gateway Pundit described the ad as “absolutely hilarious,” and Daily Wire host Michael Knowles described it as “brilliant.” Many national conservative media outlets have promoted and praised the ad.
Vivek Ramaswamy has taken responsibility for the ad and is spending $4 million to broadcast it
Republican gubernatorial candidate Vivek Ramaswamy has taken responsibility for the 60-second video. His campaign is spending $4 million to broadcast the video online and on television.
Matthew McConaughey posts video urging voters to reconsider the 'wasted vote' view of independent candidates
On Sunday, October 18, 2026, actor Matthew McConaughey shared a video on Instagram challenging the long-held view that voting for an independent candidate is a wasted vote. He argued that a small number of independent lawmakers could significantly shift the balance of power in Washington.
Hillary and Bill Clinton have recently campaigned for Democratic midterm candidates
Former President Bill Clinton has made public appearances supporting Democratic candidates ahead of the 2026 midterm elections. Former First Lady Hillary Clinton has been making appearances on podcasts, including with Kara Swisher, as part of the same effort.
Hillary Clinton criticizes McConaughey's independent-candidate video on podcast
On Wednesday, October 21, 2026, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton criticized Matthew McConaughey's video encouraging voters to consider independent candidates during a podcast interview. Journalist Kara Swisher, who co-hosts the podcast 'High Stakes' with Clinton, had shared the video with her during the episode.
Democratic strategist Mally Smith says the Clintons will mainly reach the party base
Democratic strategist Mally Smith stated that Bill and Hillary Clinton remain relevant to some voters, but will mostly be useful in speaking to the Democratic base and to people highly engaged in politics. Smith also said that breaking through the current media environment is difficult, even for sitting elected officials.
Clinton says the video could harm Democrats two weeks before the midterm elections
Hillary Clinton said it was unfortunate that McConaughey, given his reach, would promote independent candidates two weeks before a midterm election that she described as aimed at stopping Trump's corruption, impunity and damage to the country.
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2 alternative perspectives
Obama fundraiser energizes Democratic Senate campaigns across competitive states
Obama fundraiser mobilizes Democratic Senate campaigns amid competitive state-by-state races.
Texas Senate race draws record spending surge from Trump-aligned groups
Trump-aligned groups deploy record $22 million monthly spending on Texas Senate race amid intensified financial mobilization.
Supreme Court eliminates party spending limits as Republicans hold $1 billion
Supreme Court eliminates party spending limits as Republicans command $1 billion campaign war chest.
Republicans face polling headwinds despite midterm campaign mobilization efforts
Republicans face polling deficits in 2026 despite campaign mobilization amid Trump's declining approval ratings.
Trump announces $90 Medicare, $500 ACA rebate, and military payment pledges
Trump announces targeted Medicare, ACA rebate, and military payment proposals ahead of midterms.
Nicki Minaj aligns with Trump administration ahead of 2026 midterms
Nicki Minaj endorses Republicans, appears on Trump media, and judges administration initiatives during 2026 midterms.
Vance references Kirk assassination at convention tribute event
Vance referenced Kirk's assassination during convention tribute marking the activist's death anniversary.
Trump approval rating hits historic low of 33 percent
Trump approval hits historic low of 33 percent amid rising inflation and economic discontent.
Trump claims swift policy completion, pledges $5,000 dividend at Dallas convention
Trump claims rapid policy completion and offers $5,000 dividend pledge to voters at Dallas GOP convention.
Controversial figures appear at Dallas GOP convention amid midterm cycle
Former Oath Keepers leader and Charlie Kirk tribute appeared at Dallas GOP convention.
Republicans unveil tax cuts and border claims at Dallas convention messaging event
Republicans unveiled tax and spending proposals at Dallas convention as midterm messaging centerpiece.