The Caucus

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Russell Payne

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Russell Payne · Reporter · October 23, 2026

Poll Watch: Republicans Are Running Out Of Time to Change Public Opinion

GOP spending shows the party has more hope in the Senate than House

Russell Payne · Reporter · October 21, 2026

So Far, Early Voting Backs Up the Polls

"We're seeing levels that are above 2018 and 2022"

Russell Payne · Reporter · October 19, 2026

How Randy Villegas Could Prove That a Progressive Can Win Anywhere

Villegas upset the establishment in the Democratic primary

Russell Payne · Reporter · October 19, 2026

Exclusive: Voters in Key States Will Get Last-Minute Reminder About ICE’s Spree of Shootings

America's Voice is running a billboard campaign across five states

Russell Payne · Reporter · October 19, 2026

Why Undecided Voters Don’t Seem Likely to Break for the GOP

On the generic ballot, the Democrats’ lead has held steady

Russell Payne · Reporter · October 14, 2026

Collins Runs From President, Party In Penultimate Maine Senate Debate

Trump lost Maine by 7 points in 2024

Russell Payne · Reporter · October 13, 2026

Candidates Are Being Swept Into Office With a Smaller and Smaller Portion of the Vote: Report

Up to 126 candidates could be members of Congress after winning just a plurality of the primary vote

Russell Payne · Reporter · October 12, 2026

Gallego Rolls Out New Economic Plan, Potentially Foreshadowing Presidential Bid

Russell Payne · Reporter · October 9, 2026

In Senate Polling, Forecasts Drift Toward Dems Despite a Few Sticking Points

Russell Payne · Reporter · October 8, 2026

Republicans Are Already Pointing Fingers Over a Midterm Collapse

And 50% of Democrats said if the party retakes the House it's because of Trump

Russell Payne · Reporter · October 6, 2026

Jackson and Collins Clash in First of Four Scheduled Debates in the Maine Senate Race

Longtime GOP Senator's record is under the microscope with one month to go

Russell Payne · Reporter · October 2, 2026

Democrats Announce Eye-Popping 3rd Quarter Fundraising Heading Into Final Stretch

Cait Conley raised an extraordinary $5 million for her raise to unseat GOP Rep. Mike Lawler in NY-19

Russell Payne · Reporter · October 2, 2026

Why You Probably Can Trust the Polls in 2026

"Every president would love to have the electorate that they won"

Russell Payne · Reporter · September 30, 2026

2026 Could Bring a Wave of Doctors and Nurses Into Elected Office

One tally has 118 doctors, nurses, and public health officials running on the Democratic ticket in 2026

Russell Payne · Reporter · September 29, 2026

Democrats Are Recruiting 500 Election Observers a Week

Democratic State Committees are joining up as worries grow over possible election day interference from ICE and other groups

Russell Payne · Reporter · September 25, 2026

Democratic Leadership Prepping for Investment in Texas Senate

With Talarico leading in recent polling, Super PAC help could be on the way

Russell Payne · Reporter · September 24, 2026

Republicans Slide in House Polling as Senate Surveys Show That Upper Chamber Is Still in Play

Each week leading up to the election, we'll take a look at polling trends across the country

Russell Payne · Reporter · September 23, 2026

Why New Mexico Will Put Native Americans, Latinos and Young Voters at the Center of 2028

The state will vote fourth in the Democratic presidential primary

Russell Payne · Reporter · September 21, 2026

New Crypto aims to sink Sherrod Brown’s campaign, again

Industry PAC Fairshake drops an eight figure ad buy to defeat the former Senator

Russell Payne · Reporter · September 20, 2026

Democrats’ New AI PAC Will Be Policy Neutral

Tomorrow Together committed $10.6 million to support Democrats through the 2026 election and beyond

Russell Payne · Reporter · September 18, 2026

Democrats Are Contesting NV-02 Again, and Benitez-Thompson Is Already on TV

Democrats are investing even in what once looked like long shot races

Russell Payne · Reporter · September 17, 2026

Even Deep Red House Seats Are Shifting In Favor Of Democrats

Recent polls show Dems lead on the generic ballot question by over eight points

Russell Payne · Reporter · September 14, 2026

Roy Cooper Has Built His Lead Off Disaffected Trump Voters

The former North Carolina governor is turning a fiercely contested state into what is shaping up to be an easy Senate win

Russell Payne · Reporter · September 10, 2026

Fetterman Upstages Trump on First Night of GOP Midterm Convention

And a Talarico campaign strategist told The Caucus that GOP speakers' frequent mentions of their candidate proves “We live rent free in their head”

Russell Payne · Reporter · September 9, 2026

Shaheen Edges Out Primary Victory, Ushering In the Next Generation Of a Political Dynasty in New Hampshire

Senator Jeanne Shaheen's daughter was seen as an underdog heading into Election Day

Russell Payne · Reporter · September 9, 2026

Pappas Wins NH Senate Primary as Expected, Tees Up Battle with Sununu

Sununu won this seat in 2002 then lost his re-election six years later

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