Unconventional hopefuls could sway tight Senate and House races this November
A handful of outsider candidates—including a former sports broadcaster, a Paralympic champion and a former park ranger—are in close contests that may decide control of Congress.
As the midterm election approaches, a slate of atypical candidates is emerging in several competitive districts, offering voters alternatives to career politicians. In the Senate, former sportscaster Michele Tafoya is challenging Minnesota lieutenant governor Peggy Flanagan, Paralympic gold-medalist Josh Turek faces Republican Ashley Hinson in Iowa, veteran Dan Osborn runs as an independent against Nebraska Governor Pete Ricketts, and former park ranger Brian Bengs contests South Dakota incumbent Mike Rounds.
On the House side, Sam Forstag, a former wilderness “smoke-jumper,” seeks to unseat Republican Aaron Flint in Montana; Rebecca Cooke, a nonprofit founder, battles incumbent Derrick Van Orden in Wisconsin; and Bobby Pulido, a Latin-Grammy-winning singer, aims to flip Texas’s 15th district against Monica De La Cruz. Analysts say these outsider narratives resonate with voters frustrated by economic pressures and political gridlock, and the outcomes could tip the balance of power in Congress.
Why it matters
Close races featuring outsider candidates could determine which party controls Congress and shape the national agenda.
How this story developed
- Sep 28 Joe Concha accuses Senate hopeful Abdul el Sayed of political double-talk
- Oct 2 The Georgia Senate debate turned sharply personal as Ossoff pledged to repeal Trump-era tariffs and accused Collins of siding with the president. Collins defended the tax cuts tied to the One Big Beautiful Bill Act and blamed the Inflation Reduction Act for inflation. Both candidates clashed over data-center subsidies, with Ossoff linking Collins to a billionaire donor and Collins returning the charge. The discussion also covered the ongoing conflict with Iran and a recent immigration raid at a Hyundai plant, while each candidate faced accusations of extremist associations.
- Oct 3 A Rasmussen Reports poll now shows El‑Sayed leading Rogers 47% to 44%.
- Oct 5 Jeffries warned that Republican money is being poured into Long Island districts held by Tom Suozzi and Laura Gillen, despite those seats being vulnerable to Democratic wins. He noted that the GOP’s focus on these races is making Republican-held districts, including the upstate seat of retiring Elisa Stafanik, more competitive. Jeffries also linked the alleged mismanagement to reports about Donald Trump advisers Chris LaCivita and James Blair working abroad. Democratic super PACs are holding back, believing their incumbents are well positioned, while GOP groups have spent nearly $2 million on Gillen’s district.
- Oct 9 The first televised debate between the Michigan Senate hopefuls was held Thursday night.
- Oct 10 Trump posted on Truth Social after the debate, claiming Rogers completely dominated and calling El‑Sayed a jihadist lunatic.
- Oct 12 Collins publicly accused Ossoff of using Georgia to launch a 2028 presidential bid.
- Oct 17 The candidates held their first televised debate.
- Oct 18 Jeffries warned that the GOP's focus on the Long Island races may jeopardize the upstate district of retiring Elisa Stafanik.
- Oct 19 Trump posted a Truth Social attack on El‑Sayed and shared a Kid Rock video warning of religious conflict in Dearborn.
- Oct 22 The candidates participated in a final televised debate in Detroit.
- Oct 22 New polling shows El‑Sayed holding a slight edge over Rogers.
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