Blue-collar worker

A closely watched race in Montana's 1st congressional district has become a test of whether economic populism or culture-war messaging resonates more with voters. Democrat Sam Forstag, a wildland firefighter and former ACLU lobbyist, has focused his campaign on housing affordability and cost-of-living frustrations, while Republican Aaron Flint, a former conservative radio host, has leaned into attacks portraying Forstag as a "radical" on gender and sexual orientation issues. President Trump campaigned in the state for Flint this week, underscoring the race's national profile.

Polling shows the contest within a few points either way, and the Cook Political Report recently shifted its rating from "likely Republican" to "lean Republican." A heated debate this week saw Flint brand Forstag "Phony Forstag" over his past LGBTQ advocacy work, while Forstag kept his focus on housing costs, private equity's role in the rental market, and wage stagnation. Montana Democrats argue the state's independent streak favors pocketbook messaging over national identity politics, making the race a bellwether for broader midterm strategy debates.

President Donald Trump is set to rally in Youngstown, a onetime Democratic stronghold that swung sharply toward him over the past decade amid the collapse of regional steel manufacturing. Republicans, including Sen. Jon Husted, see the visit as crucial to motivating MAGA voters ahead of Ohio's statewide races, with strategists warning that even a small drop in Trump-aligned turnout could cost the GOP. Mahoning County backed Barack Obama by a landslide in 2012 before flipping to Trump, who won it by double digits in 2024.

Democrats, led by Sen. Sherrod Brown and gubernatorial hopeful Amy Acton, argue that rising costs for gas, groceries and utilities have eroded Trump's appeal among working-class voters who once saw him as an outsider fighting for them. Local Democrats accuse him of breaking promises on affordability and jobs, while Republicans counter that falling unemployment and policies like ending taxes on tips show progress. Both sides view the Mahoning Valley as a bellwether for whether Trump's coalition can still be mobilized now that he is the incumbent rather than the challenger.

Early voting began Tuesday in Ohio, a state hosting some of the most competitive contests in the November 3 midterms, including a Senate special election and two House races rated toss-ups by the Cook Political Report. The results could help decide which party controls Congress for the next two years.

Republican Senator Jon Husted faces a challenge from Democrat Sherrod Brown, who previously held the seat for 18 years before losing it to Bernie Moreno. In the House, Republican Representative Max Miller is fighting for a third term in the 7th district amid domestic violence allegations he denies, challenged by Democrat Brian Poindexter. In the 9th district, longtime Democratic Representative Marcy Kaptur faces a rematch against Republican Derek Merrin. Voters are weighing inflation, rising living costs and the ongoing US war with Iran against President Trump's record-low approval rating, with both parties watching Ohio for signs of whether disaffected voters are shifting allegiance ahead of the broader fight for House and Senate majorities.

Ohio's Senate race between Republican incumbent Jon Husted and Democrat Sherrod Brown has become a bellwether contest as both parties battle for control of the chamber. Husted, appointed to fill JD Vance's seat, faces backlash over his past promotion of tax breaks that brought more than 200 data centers to Ohio, including one under construction in Pike County expected to be the world's largest. Ohio's projected sales tax giveaway to data centers ballooned from an estimated $136 million to more than $1.5 billion, fueling voter anger over electricity costs, water use, and air quality. Husted notes the incentives originated in 2011 and expanded under Gov. John Kasich, before his time in statewide economic development roles, and he has since backed pausing the tax breaks and co-sponsored legislation making data center operators help cover grid costs.

Brown, who lost his Senate seat in 2024, is courting working-class voters in areas like the Mahoning Valley that have drifted toward Trump. Both candidates now say data centers should cover their own power and infrastructure costs and that local communities should have final say on new projects, though Brown wants residents given more information before approvals, while neither favors halting data center growth outright. Both campaigns have combined for well over $150 million in ad spending, with outside groups like Elon Musk's America PAC adding pressure to a race seen as pivotal to Senate control.

Maine Democratic U.S. Senate nominee Troy Jackson visited People's Inclusive Welding, a South Portland trade school, during a Labor Day weekend tour of working Mainers. Jackson praised the shop's inclusive approach and pledged support for apprenticeship programs, saying inclusion is key to improving conditions across the state and country. Shop owner Jo Remillard said the school's "inclusive" branding has complicated its eligibility for some federal workforce-training funding.

The school's handbook outlines a zero-tolerance policy covering discrimination including "fatphobia," alongside racism, sexism, and other forms of bias, and states police will not be called into the shop space. Remillard and board member Arlo Hennessey have spoken publicly about equity and representation gaps in the skilled trades.

Jackson became the Democratic nominee in July after Graham Platner withdrew amid a sexual assault allegation he denies. Jackson is challenging incumbent Sen. Susan Collins and has faced scrutiny over past conduct allegations and a legislative record including votes on gender-affirming care access and sex work decriminalization.