One of California's most competitive legislative districts is back in play as Republicans fight to hold the seat, Democrats spend big to flip it, and independent voters emerge as the deciding force.
In Nebraska's Senate race, Republican Pete Ricketts is betting voters will see independent Dan Osborn as a Democrat, while Osborn argues he answers to neither party. The outcome could reshape how independents run for office nationwide.
As millions of California voters reject traditional party labels, Latino independents are challenging political assumptions and forcing candidates to compete for support neither party can take for granted.
A record 125 candidates won primary elections with less than 50% of the vote, with 21 House nominees now poised to win in safe districts. That means roughly a fifth of the incoming House freshman class will have been chosen by a small fraction of voters.
A Republican incumbent who breaks with his party more often than any other legislator faces a DSA-backed progressive Democrat in one of California's closest Assembly races.
Mid-cycle redistricting in nine states was meant to guarantee election outcomes, but with 3 weeks until the 2026 midterms, the strategy may backfire. In 8 congressional districts, new maps face unexpected obstacles where independent voters could decide the outcome.
In Kern County's Assembly District 35, nearly one in four voters are registered with no party preference, making independents the likely kingmakers in a closely competitive race between Democrat Andrae Gonzales and Republican Saul Ayon.
Independent voters are now "kingmakers" in competitive races, but campaigns treat them as data points, not people. Without direct conversation, candidates miss opportunities to engage the largest voting bloc.
Alaska voters will decide whether to repeal the state's 2020 election reforms, including open primaries, ranked choice voting, and campaign finance disclosure rules that expose dark money sources.
After a bipartisan House vote to open the primaries, Gov. Josh Shapiro and Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick are adding their support as advocates turn their attention to the state Senate.
