Senate

Alaska Gov. Mike Dunleavy says he could stop or alter certification of the state's U.S. Senate result if an investigation he ordered finds illegal conduct tied to Democrat Mary Peltola's campaign. The probe follows a New York Times report, sourced partly to Peltola's fired former campaign manager, alleging Peltola advisers and DSCC aides helped recruit a second "Dan Sullivan" to run against Republican Sen. Dan Sullivan. Peltola has publicly denied any knowledge of the scheme, and the DSCC denies involvement. President Trump has called for Peltola's removal from the ballot, though early voting is already underway. Separately, the Justice Department has sued to block certification of any winner but Sullivan pending review, seeking a ruling before the Nov. 3 election.

The allegations have become a flashpoint in national political commentary, with reactions split along partisan lines over whether the recruitment scheme amounts to voter deception warranting intervention, or whether Republican efforts to challenge certification represent their own form of election interference.

Iowa's U.S. Senate race recorded the largest nationwide jump in ad spending between Sept. 28-Oct. 11 and Oct. 12-25, rising by about $22.77 million to roughly $64.59 million, according to the Wesleyan Media Project. That put Iowa fourth nationally in Senate ad spending for the period, behind Ohio, Texas, and Michigan, with outside groups funding about three-quarters of the total and spending tilting toward Democrats. The Cook Political Report has shifted Iowa's gubernatorial and Senate races, along with three of its four U.S. House races, further left this cycle. Analysts say the spending shift signals the battleground map moving from states like Georgia and North Carolina into redder territory as races near their close.

The Iowa Farmers Union endorsed Democrat Josh Turek over Republican Ashley Hinson in the race for Iowa's open Senate seat, with president Aaron Lehman citing damage from tariff policy and rising diesel, fertilizer and pesticide costs. Lehman also criticized the shifting schedule for a Trump rally supporting Hinson, which was reported off and then back on before planned Sunday appearances in Iowa and Kansas. Hinson has Trump's and the Iowa Farm Bureau's backing. The contest to replace retiring Senator Joni Ernst is rated a tossup, with multiple recent polls showing Turek and Hinson within a few points of each other heading into Election Day.

Texas voters go to the polls Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2026, to decide a slate of federal, state and local races. The ballot includes contests for the U.S. Senate and U.S. House, statewide executive and judicial offices, the Texas Legislature, and county-level positions such as county judge, sheriff, district attorney and various court seats. Depending on location, voters may also weigh in on local bond measures, tax proposals and charter amendments.

Polls are open 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., with early voting running Oct. 19 through Oct. 30. Results across these races will shape prediction markets tracking Senate control and statewide leadership in Texas.