Food prices

Republican Sen. Jon Husted and Democratic challenger Sherrod Brown sparred over top voter concerns ahead of Ohio's Nov. 3 U.S. Senate election, with inflation, crime and immigration dominating the debate.

Brown blamed rising prices on an unfair economic "system," linking costs to ongoing war spending and tariffs, and pledged to end the war, roll back tariffs and restore an expanded child tax credit if reelected. Husted argued prices will fall only by boosting domestic energy and farm supply, calling for more drilling, pipelines, refineries and power plants to lower input costs.

On crime and immigration, Husted accused Brown and local leaders, including those in Cincinnati, of supporting sanctuary policies and failing to enforce border security, pointing to Ohio's high rate of repeat violent offenders. Brown countered that he supports deporting criminals, enforcing sentencing laws and tightening gun access for people with mental health issues.

The race is among the most closely watched Senate contests nationally, with control of the chamber potentially hinging on the outcome.

Sen. Elizabeth Warren publicly flagged three pending food and grocery mergers on October 6, 2026, urging the Trump administration and federal regulators not to simply approve the deals without close review. The transactions named are Kroger's combination with Giant Eagle, Sysco's merger with Restaurant Depot, and McCormick's deal to acquire a Unilever unit. Warren framed her criticism around the risk of higher food prices for consumers, a message likely to draw bipartisan attention on Capitol Hill.

The three deals span different layers of the food supply chain: Kroger and Giant Eagle compete in retail grocery, Sysco and Restaurant Depot operate in food distribution to restaurants and institutions, and McCormick's deal would expand its branded consumer packaged goods business. For investors, political pressure on the Federal Trade Commission raises the likelihood of delays or conditions being attached to the deals, which can widen merger-arbitrage spreads on the companies involved. Markets will be watching for any regulatory signals from the FTC in coming weeks.

A candidate questionnaire from The Denver Post offers a window into the competitive race for Colorado's 4th Congressional District. One contender, a retired Navy rear admiral and former Special Assistant to the President for South Asia, outlined priorities centered on lowering costs, balancing the federal budget, and curbing congressional corruption through term limits, age limits, and a ban on lawmakers trading stocks.

On policy specifics, the candidate called for ending tariffs, passing a comprehensive farm bill, and requiring insurers to reimburse rural hospitals more fairly. They said federal land in the district should not be a default target for new oil and gas leasing, favoring local input over blanket Washington mandates. On immigration, they backed stronger border security paired with legal pathways addressing labor shortages in agriculture and rural health care. They also urged more congressional oversight of executive actions, including unauthorized military engagements and federal spending. Incumbent Lauren Boebert and candidate Douglas Mangeris did not respond to the questionnaire.

President Trump used the Republican Party's first-ever midterm convention in Dallas to urge voters to treat November's elections as a referendum on him, telling supporters to "pretend that I'm on the ballot." The pitch is meant to replicate the turnout that fueled his 2016 and 2024 wins, but interviews with attendees revealed unease among some loyalists, who questioned whether a president struggling with low approval ratings amid inflation concerns and the Iran war is the party's strongest messenger in competitive districts.

Trump's overall approval has fallen to 33%, with independents showing a sharp decline in support. Several vulnerable GOP candidates skipped the convention entirely. Trump promised a $5,000 "Trump dividend" if Republicans keep Congress, without detailing funding. Despite the risks, most Republicans interviewed still backed centering the campaign on Trump, betting his base-mobilizing power outweighs broader unpopularity, while Democrats hope to make the midterms a referendum on his economic and foreign policy record.