US Midterms Set Nationwide Legislative Races

The articles describe the 2026 midterms as contests that will shape control of Congress, state legislatures and local governments, with consequences for policy ranging from school funding to public safety. In Wisconsin, area Democrats are campaigning to flip a Legislature long controlled by Republicans, criticizing the GOP majority for limiting hearings on Democratic bills and rejecting Medicaid expansion, which they say has hurt hospitals. An Orlando voting guide outlines federal, state and local races, including a special U.S. Senate election, and summarizes candidates’ platforms and controversies. Religion is also emerging in midterm politics through candidates with religious backgrounds, abortion measures, voting-rights organizing and wider disputes over the boundary between religion and government. A Penn State expert says debates over religious freedom and government neutrality remain unsettled, and argues that recent court decisions may favor Christian expression while overlooking the concerns of other faiths and nonreligious Americans.