Democrats eye Senate majority, midterms near

Democrats are pursuing a Senate majority ahead of the midterms, highlighting eight key candidates as potential paths to control. Veteran strategist James Carville urges the party to frame 2026 candidates around opposing President Trump’s policies and to reserve affirmative messaging for the 2028 race. Democrats argue Trump’s Iran policy and its economic spillovers—along with rising costs for Americans—are powerful motivators for voters. Polling shows the economy as the top issue for likely voters, with concerns about tariffs and the Iran war influencing opinions of Trump and Republicans. Republicans remain structurally advantaged by the map, but several races in states like Texas, Ohio, Alaska, and Maine are shifting toward Democrats, suggesting a possible Senate path in a wave election. Overall, Trump’s ability to bend midterm outcomes appears limited by economic anxiety and perceived missteps on foreign policy.