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Browse major news stories and see what officials have said.

Sep 8, 2026

New Hampshire Sets Up the Senate Race for Jeanne Shaheen's Open Seat — John E. Sununu Wins the Republican Primary Three to One and Says He "Can't Wait to Debate Chris Pappas," and Pappas Wins the Democratic Primary and Says Sununu "Has Thrown His Lot In With Donald Trump"

On September 8, 2026, New Hampshire voters set the November matchup for the U.S. Senate seat Sen. Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) is giving up after three terms. Former Sen. John E. Sununu, who held the seat from 2003 to 2009 and carried President Trump's endorsement, won the Republican primary over former Massachusetts Sen. Scott Brown by roughly 70 percent to 25 percent. Rep. Chris Pappas, the four-term Democrat from the 1st District, won the Democratic primary over Karishma Manzur, a scientist backed by the Democratic Socialists of America, by roughly 62 percent to 36 percent — a wider-than-expected margin for Manzur in a race Pappas had been expected to walk through. Both nominees used their victory speeches to define the other. Sununu told supporters "I can't wait to debate Chris Pappas — anytime, any place," called the congressman "ineffective, partisan, and out of touch with New Hampshire," and said that as senator he would "take a backseat to no one" in standing up for the state and was "not running for any other job." Pappas said "Everywhere I go, I hear the same thing: Life is too damn expensive," tied that to tariffs, expiring health-insurance subsidies and gas and grocery prices, said "Donald Trump thinks all of this is just a hoax," and cast Sununu as the president's "handpicked candidate" who "has thrown his lot in with Donald Trump" and as "a failed politician from the past." Brown conceded to Sununu by phone. Down the ballot, Gov. Kelly Ayotte was renominated with roughly 92 percent and will face Democrat Cinde Warmington, a former executive councilor who ran unopposed. In the open 1st Congressional District that Pappas is leaving, Stefany Shaheen — the retiring senator's daughter — won a nine-way Democratic primary with about 37 percent, edging Marine veteran Maura Sullivan by fewer than 2,000 votes in a race the Associated Press did not call until after midnight; she faces Republican Anthony DiLorenzo. In the 2nd District, Rep. Maggie Goodlander was renominated and faces Republican Lily Tang Williams. The general election is November 3.

“I can't wait to debate Chris Pappas — anytime, any place.”
John E. Sununu (R-NH) · Sep 8, 2026

An 80-Year-Old Senator Beats the 47-Year-Old Congressman Who Ran on Generational Change by Roughly Two to One — Ed Markey Says "Tonight Is a Testament to the Power of the Progressive Movement," and Seth Moulton Says the Conversation Still Needed Having

On September 1, 2026, Sen. Ed Markey (D-MA) beat Rep. Seth Moulton (D-MA) in the Massachusetts Democratic Senate primary, taking roughly two-thirds of the vote. It was the most direct test yet of the generational-change argument that has been running through Democratic primaries all cycle — and the incumbent won it going away. Moulton, 47, built his challenge on the proposition that Markey, 80, is too old for another six-year term, invoking Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Dianne Feinstein and Joe Biden as cautionary tales. Markey answered by consolidating the left: Sen. Elizabeth Warren, Sen. Bernie Sanders and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez all endorsed him, and he campaigned on the same young-progressive coalition that saved him from Joe Kennedy III in 2020. In his victory speech in downtown Boston he called the win a "testament to the power of the progressive movement of our nation," told the crowd "there is a big blue wave coming to drown out all those red MAGA hats," and answered the age question directly — "I'm always the youngest guy in the room when it comes to new ideas." Moulton conceded the night of the primary, said he had called Markey to congratulate him, and pledged his full support for the general election while refusing to retract the argument he had run on. His House seat in the 6th District is now open. Markey advances to the November 3 general election against Republican John Deaton, in a state he carried with 66 percent in 2020. Elsewhere on the ballot, incumbents held: Rep. Richard Neal survived his primary in the 1st District, and Mike Minogue won the Republican gubernatorial primary to face Gov. Maura Healey.

“Tonight is a testament to the power of the progressive movement of our nation.”
Ed Markey (D-MA) · Sep 1, 2026

Trump’s Pick Byron Donalds Routs the DeSantis Camp by 20 Points to Win Florida’s Governor Primary — and Will Face David Jolly, the Republican Congressman Who Became a Democrat

On August 18, 2026, Florida Republicans nominated U.S. Rep. Byron Donalds for governor, handing President Trump's hand-picked candidate a victory of more than 20 points over a crowded field that included Lt. Gov. Jay Collins, the candidate widely understood to be Gov. Ron DeSantis's preferred successor. Donalds took roughly 48 percent of the Republican vote. DeSantis, who has an icy relationship with Donalds and whose wife Casey had been floated for the race, declined to endorse anyone before the primary, saying he was "not involved in any Primaries." On the Democratic side, former U.S. Rep. David Jolly — who represented Florida's 13th District as a Republican from 2014 to 2017 before leaving the party and registering as a Democrat — won his primary with about 61 percent. Jolly used his primary-night remarks to claim a cross-party "new coalition" and to attack Donalds as purchasable, saying Donalds "will sell his governorship for a buck." Donalds, who is seeking to become Florida's first Black governor, called for Republican unity and predicted Jolly would lose again in November. The Republican Governors Association, chaired by Montana Gov. Greg Gianforte, congratulated Donalds the next day and attacked Jolly's party switch. The general election is November 3, 2026, for the seat term-limited Gov. DeSantis must vacate.

“Congratulations to Byron Donalds on his primary victory. He has the vision, experience, and the right plan for lowering costs, protecting law and order, and defending the American Dream. Hardworking families and the next generation of Floridians have a fighter on their side in Donalds. Democrats continue to prove they can't gain ground in Florida with David Jolly campaigning as a so-called moderate while voters know he's just another career politician they can't trust. From switching parties to promoting far-left woke policies like irreversible gender transition surgeries for minors, Florida voters will reject Jolly in November.”
Greg Gianforte (R-MT) · Aug 19, 2026

Democratic Socialist Melat Kiros Unseats 15-Term Rep. Diana DeGette in Colorado 1st District Primary

On June 30, 2026, 29-year-old democratic socialist and first-time candidate Melat Kiros defeated 15-term incumbent Rep. Diana DeGette in the Democratic primary for Colorado's Denver-based 1st Congressional District. The Associated Press called the race at 10:03 p.m., with Kiros leading roughly 49.3% to DeGette's 43.5%, a margin of about six points, with Wanda James third. Kiros, a lawyer who immigrated from Ethiopia as an infant, was endorsed by Sen. Bernie Sanders, the Democratic Socialists of America, and Justice Democrats, and built her campaign from viral Instagram videos into a volunteer operation that knocked on roughly 100,000 doors. The upset ended DeGette's nearly three-decade career in Congress and marked one of the biggest wins to date for the DSA-aligned left. Kiros is now heavily favored in the solidly Democratic district's November general election.

“Coloradoans have once again made their voices clear. We are not going to accept Trump's broken promises and cost of living emergency, or his constant corruption.”
John Hickenlooper (D-CO) · Jul 1, 2026

May 27, 2026· Updated

Ken Paxton Defeats Sen. John Cornyn in Texas GOP Primary Runoff

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton crushed four-term incumbent Sen. John Cornyn 64%-36% in the May 26, 2026 Republican primary runoff — the widest primary defeat of a sitting U.S. senator in nearly five decades. Trump had endorsed Paxton one week before the vote, overriding his own Senate leadership's backing of Cornyn. Senate Majority Leader Thune immediately called on Republicans to "pivot" to supporting Paxton, while Democrat James Talarico, who will face Paxton in November, declared him "the most corrupt politician in America."

“I will do some nice, big, beautiful rallies for Ken. John Cornyn ran a strong and powerful race but, more importantly, had a truly great career.”
Donald Trump (R-FL) · May 27, 2026