ABC News

Michigan Democratic Senate nominee Abdul El-Sayed has repeated his assertion that Israel is "not actually our friend," making the case in interviews with ABC News and MS NOW ahead of his final debate against Republican Mike Rogers. El-Sayed argues Israel has lobbied the U.S. into conflicts, including pushing for action against Iran, and accused the Israeli military of war crimes. He has also faced criticism for deflecting questions about alleged family ties to the Muslim Brotherhood and past appearances with controversial streamer Hasan Piker. At the debate in Detroit, El-Sayed also opposed the SAVE America Act's voter ID and citizenship-proof requirements, calling them voter suppression, while Rogers defended the measure as reasonable. The race remains competitive ahead of the Nov. 3 election.

Russia released Stephen Hubbard, a 74-year-old retired Michigan teacher held since 2022, as U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff met President Vladimir Putin in St. Petersburg. Hubbard, who had lived in eastern Ukraine teaching English, was convicted on disputed mercenary charges the U.S. State Department called wrongful. He was reportedly transported to St. Petersburg's Pulkovo Airport following the meeting. The visit came as the Trump administration pursued a broader deal to free other detained Americans, and followed Witkoff's talks with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Oslo on ceasefire proposals. Trump has pressed Zelenskyy toward concessions, intensifying scrutiny of U.S.-brokered peace efforts amid Russia's ongoing invasion of Ukraine.

Polling shows Democrats with a notable generic-ballot edge and competitive Senate races even in red states like Texas, Kansas, Alaska and Iowa, fueling talk of a possible "blue wave." That raises the bar for what counts as success: history shows the president's party almost always loses House seats in midterms, and the House and Senate often move in opposite directions. Republicans hold a razor-thin House majority (218-214) and a 53-45 Senate edge, so Democrats need net gains of four seats in each chamber to take control. Analysts note tossup races favor Democrats overall, but unique factors in each state make outcomes uncertain, and any result short of major gains could be framed as a disappointment for Democrats despite favorable conditions.

Early voting began Monday in Texas ahead of the Nov. 3 election and runs through Oct. 30, with Houston voters citing varied priorities from corruption to human rights as reasons for their choices. A new ABC News/Washington Post poll shows Democratic voters currently hold an enthusiasm edge, with 72% saying they are certain to vote compared with 65% of Republicans. The same poll found a growing share of Americans struggling to afford basics like gas, health care, housing and groceries since February; the share calling gas unaffordable jumped from 28% to 71%, as national average gas prices have topped $4 a gallon for a record 158 days this year.
Texas early voting kicks off as polling shows a Democratic enthusiasm edge and rising affordability worries over gas and essentials.

Ahead of the Nov. 3 election, Democratic candidates hold a modest edge in recent public polling for Ohio's U.S. Senate and governor's races, and prediction markets including Kalshi, Polymarket, and PredictIt show them similarly favored. News outlets are tracking these markets alongside polling as part of growing interest in their use for forecasting election outcomes.

Prediction markets are also drawing regulatory attention in Ohio: Attorney General Andy Wilson is leading a 39-state coalition asking the U.S. Supreme Court to clarify whether sports-related prediction markets should be regulated as state sports betting or as federally regulated financial contracts. A federal appeals panel recently backed Ohio regulators seeking to fine Kalshi $5 million for operating as an unlicensed sportsbook, though other courts have ruled in favor of prediction-market operators.

Other developments in the race include Sen. Bernie Moreno's FCC complaint against ABC News over a corrected story involving defense contractor Anduril, questions about a pro-Greg Levy ad possibly tied to Republicans, and Sherrod Brown ruling out support for impeaching President Trump if elected.

President Donald Trump is set to visit Syracuse, N.Y., to campaign alongside Republican gubernatorial candidate Bruce Blakeman as he challenges Democratic incumbent Gov. Kathy Hochul. The visit underscores national GOP interest in flipping New York's governorship, a race that has drawn increased attention amid broader midterm positioning.

ABC News Washington bureau chief Rick Klein discussed the trip and its implications in an interview, noting the stakes for both campaigns as Trump lends his support to Blakeman's bid. Hochul, seeking reelection, continues to campaign on her incumbency record, while Blakeman looks to capitalize on presidential backing to boost visibility and fundraising in a traditionally Democratic-leaning state.

The appearance adds another data point for prediction markets tracking the New York gubernatorial race, as high-profile campaign events and endorsements can shift momentum and public perception ahead of the election.

President Donald Trump traveled to Clarksville, Tennessee, Saturday to rally Republican candidates ahead of the midterm elections, speaking at F&M Bank Arena four days before the state's early voting begins Oct. 14. The Republican National Committee framed the event as part of a broader push to help the GOP maintain its congressional majorities.

Analysts note the visit comes as several Senate races once considered safely Republican—including Alaska, Iowa, Kansas, and Nebraska—have become more competitive, even as Tennessee and Kentucky remain considered solidly in Trump's column. ABC News political director Rick Klein said voter frustration tied to the economy, gas and diesel prices, tariffs, and foreign policy issues like the Iran war could shape outcomes, giving voters a chance to judge two years of unified Republican control in Washington.

Local authorities warned of traffic disruptions, road closures, and limited parking near the arena. Tennessee's early voting runs through Oct. 29, with Election Day set for Nov. 3.