Democrats Lead Midterms While Israelis Vote in Pivotal Election
A new poll shows Democrats holding an eight-point edge in the U.S. House race, and Israelis head to the polls to decide whether Benjamin Netanyahu will remain prime minister.
According to a recent poll conducted by one outlet and Marist, Democrats enjoy an eight-point advantage on the generic congressional ballot, positioning them to keep control of the U.S. House, though the Senate remains a toss-up. President Trump’s approval rating has risen slightly to 40 percent, and he has offered a $1 million reward for tips leading to voter-fraud convictions, despite no evidence of widespread fraud. In Israel, voters are casting ballots for the first time since the Oct. 7 Hamas attacks, choosing between incumbent prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu and challenger Gadi Eisenkot, a former chief of staff promising a more diplomatic approach. High voter participation is expected, with overseas Israelis traveling home to vote, and the final composition of the Knesset may not be known for several days as coalition talks unfold.
Why it matters
The poll shapes expectations for U.S. congressional control, while Israel's election will determine its leadership amid ongoing security challenges.
How this story developed
- Aug 26 Democrats See New Paths to Flip the Senate in 2026 Midterms
- Oct 6 Morning Edition will travel to six pivotal states to hear voter concerns before the 2026 midterms, focusing on cost of living, immigration and ballot rules.
- Oct 6 Republican campaigns have ramped up ad buys since September 1 to influence the midterm contests, especially in Senate contests where polls show tight competition. The spending targets states and seats that President Trump carried in 2024. Democrats interpret the surge as a sign of Republican anxiety about retaining those victories.
- Oct 7 The Cook Political Report released a forecast predicting Republican losses in the Senate and House.
- Oct 9 Trump’s tour has added new stops in Ohio and Texas, focusing on defending his record and supporting specific Republican candidates.
- Oct 16 Reporters have been dispatched to six battleground states to capture voter sentiment before the midterms.
- Oct 19 Cook Political Report upgraded 18 House races toward Democrats and new polling aggregates show double‑digit Democratic leads.
- Oct 21 Trump added a scheduled rally in Chillicothe for Oct. 28.
- Oct 22 Trump handed printed copies of the spending claim to reporters.
- Oct 24 Trump’s dividend proposal and tariff warnings were highlighted at a Dallas convention.
- Oct 26 Trump’s recent rally comments urging supporters to "pretend I'm on the ballot" have entered the race.
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