Photo credit: Helena Buonanno Foulkes for Governor
By BallotWire
09/11/2026
Top Election Developments
A weekly recap of major election news: key race developments, candidate moves, and shifts that could shape upcoming contests.
Supreme Court Blocks Missouri’s New Congressional Map
The U.S. Supreme Court on Thursday blocked Missouri from using its new Republican drawn congressional map in the November midterm elections, meaning the state will use the congressional districts adopted in 2022.
Republicans approved the new map in 2025 at President Trump’s urging as part of an effort to increase their advantage in Missouri’s U.S. House delegation from six seats to seven. The new districts targeted the Kansas City-based seat held by Democratic U.S. Representative Emanuel Cleaver, splitting parts of Kansas City among neighboring Republican held districts.
Before the new map could take effect, opponents submitted more than 300,000 signatures to put it before Missouri voters in a referendum. Missouri Secretary of State Denny Hoskins initially rejected the petition, arguing that congressional redistricting could not be challenged through the state’s referendum process.
The Missouri Supreme Court rejected that argument last week. The court ruled that the state constitution allowed the referendum and that the petition was submitted on time. Because the petition was filed before the new map took effect, the court found that the 2025 map never became law and cannot be used unless Missouri voters approve it in November. The court ordered the state to keep using the 2022 map and place the new map before voters as Proposition A.
The dispute did not end there. A federal judge later ordered Missouri to use the 2025 map, creating a conflict with the state court ruling and again raising questions about which districts would be used in November. The U.S. Supreme Court stepped in Thursday and blocked the federal court order, clearing the way for the 2022 map to be used in the general election.
Cleaver will now run for reelection under the 2022 map, which keeps his district centered in the Kansas City area.
Foulkes Ousts McKee in Rhode Island Democratic Governor Primary
Helena Foulkes defeated Governor Dan McKee in Rhode Island’s Democratic gubernatorial primary on September 9, winning 62.5% of the vote to McKee’s 37.5%. The result ends McKee’s bid for a second full term and makes him the first sitting Rhode Island governor to lose a primary since Bruce Sundlun in 1994.
The race was a rematch of the 2022 Democratic primary, when McKee narrowly defeated Foulkes in a crowded field. This time, Foulkes entered the primary in a much stronger position as McKee faced voter frustration over the partial closure of the Washington Bridge and other issues during his tenure.
Foulkes, a former CVS executive, will face Republican Aaron Guckian in the November general election. She enters the race as the favorite to keep the Rhode Island governor’s office in Democratic hands.
Pappas Easily Wins New Hampshire Democratic U.S. Senate Primary
U.S. Representative Chris Pappas won the Democratic primary for the U.S. Senate in New Hampshire on September 8, defeating Karishma Manzur 65.0% to 32.7%. Pappas will face former U.S. Senator John E. Sununu in November for the seat being vacated by retiring Democratic U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen.
Pappas, a four-term congressman from the 1st District and the longtime frontrunner, defeated Manzur, a scientist, first-time candidate, and member of the Democratic Socialists of America. Manzur ran on universal health care and criticized Pappas over his support for Israel. Pappas has since called for changes in the U.S. relationship with Israel.
Pappas will now give up the U.S. House seat he has held since 2019 as he runs to succeed Shaheen, who endorsed him in the primary. The race against Sununu is expected to be one of the most closely watched U.S. Senate contests in November.
Sununu Defeats Brown in New Hampshire Republican U.S. Senate Primary
Former U.S. Senator John E. Sununu won the Republican primary for the U.S. Senate in New Hampshire on September 8, defeating former U.S. Senator Scott Brown 68.4% to 26.8%.
Brown, who previously represented Massachusetts in the U.S. Senate before moving to New Hampshire, sought to run to Sununu’s right and emphasized his ties to President Trump. Trump ultimately endorsed Sununu in February, despite Sununu’s past criticism of the president.
Sununu is seeking to return to the U.S. Senate 18 years after losing the same seat to Jeanne Shaheen in 2008. He represented New Hampshire in the U.S. Senate from 2003 to 2009.
Morales Unseats Smiley in Providence Mayoral Primary
State Representative David Morales defeated Providence Mayor Brett Smiley in the Democratic primary on September 9, winning 52.5% to 47.5% and denying Smiley a second term.
Morales, 27, was first elected to the Rhode Island House in 2020 and is a member of the Democratic Socialists of America. He built his campaign around housing affordability, pledging to cap rent increases, and drew endorsements from U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders and U.S. Representative Ro Khanna. His victory is the latest mayoral win for democratic socialists across the country, following recent wins in cities including New York, Seattle and Washington DC.
Morales will face Republican David Talan in the November 3 general election.
Data & Polling Roundup
New polling and data insights on the current electoral landscape and emerging trends.
Democrats Lead by 11 Points on U.S. House Control as Trump Approval Falls to 33%
A new Quinnipiac University national poll finds Democrats with an 11-point advantage on control of the U.S. House, with 49% of registered voters preferring Democratic control and 38% Republican control. The Democratic advantage has widened from seven points in Quinnipiac’s July poll.
President Trump’s job approval stands at 33%, with 59% disapproving, near his Quinnipiac low of 32% in July. His approval is also below 40% on immigration, the economy, foreign policy and several other issues.
Neither party is viewed favorably on Capitol Hill, with 21% approving of congressional Democrats and 26% approving of congressional Republicans. But voters say Democrats are more in touch with ordinary Americans, 46% to 35%
Ford and Lombardo Locked in Tight Nevada Governor's Race
A new Emerson College Polling/KLAS-TV survey of 680 likely Nevada voters, conducted September 5-8, finds Democratic Attorney General Aaron Ford leading Republican Governor Joe Lombardo 44% to 42%, with 11% undecided.
On favorability, Lombardo edges Ford, with 49% favorable to 39% unfavorable, compared to 41% favorable and 38% unfavorable for Ford. President Trump's job approval in Nevada sits at 37% approve to 55% disapprove. Lombardo's job approval is 40% approve to 39% disapprove.
The economy is the top issue for 43% of Nevada voters, followed by housing affordability at 15%, healthcare at 11%, and education at 10%. The poll also found strong opposition to data centers, with 59% opposing construction in or near their community compared to 31% who support it. Opposition is highest among Democrats at 72% and independents at 61%, while Republicans are split, with 44% support and 43% opposition.
Maine and Michigan U.S. Senate Races Within the Margin of Error
New CNN polls conducted by SSRS find the U.S. Senate races in Maine and Michigan statistically tied, with Democrats holding three-point advantages in both contests.
In Maine, Democratic nominee Troy Jackson leads Republican U.S. Senator Susan Collins 48% to 45% among likely voters. Jackson’s support is driven heavily by opposition to Collins, with 71% of his supporters saying their vote is more against the incumbent than for him.
In Michigan, Democrat Abdul El-Sayed leads former Republican U.S. Representative Mike Rogers 47% to 44%, also within the margin of error. About a quarter of likely voters remain persuadable.
Cooper Leads Whatley by 7 Points in North Carolina U.S. Senate Race
A new East Carolina University poll finds Democrat Roy Cooper leading Republican Michael Whatley 46% to 39% in North Carolina’s U.S. Senate race, with 14% undecided. When voters are asked to choose between the two candidates, Cooper leads 52% to 44%. The poll surveyed 675 likely voters from August 31 to September 3.
The economy and cost of living are the top issue for 43% of voters. Among those voters, Cooper leads Whatley 58% to 25%. Cooper also leads among independents, 45% to 34%, and women, 49% to 33%, while Whatley leads among men, 45% to 42%.
Cooper has a 47% favorable and 40% unfavorable rating. Whatley is viewed favorably by 33% and unfavorably by 34%, while about a third of voters either have no opinion of him or say they do not know enough about him.