BallotWire Briefs — Weekly Election Update (April 13-17)

BallotWire delivers data-driven coverage of U.S. elections at every level—federal, state, and local. We track results, trends, and shifts beyond the headlines.

New: BallotWire Election Prediction Dashboard

BallotWire has launched an Election Prediction Dashboard, giving readers a hands-on way to engage with upcoming races. Instead of just following projections, users can now cast their own predictions, track how others are voting, and explore key contests shaping control of Congress and the White House. It adds an interactive dimension to BallotWire, enabling users to actively participate in the conversation about elections. Try it out and see how your predictions compare.

Top Election Developments

A summary of the most significant election news from the week, including major race developments, candidate activity, and changes that may determine upcoming contests.

Mejia Wins New Jersey’s 11th District Special Election, Holds Seat for Democrats

Progressive Democrat Analilia Mejia won the New Jersey 11th Congressional District special election on April 16, defeating Republican Joe Hathaway with nearly 60% of the vote to keep the seat in Democratic hands.

Mejia previously served as director of the New Jersey Working Families Alliance and as national political director for Bernie Sanders' 2020 presidential campaign. Her platform centered on resisting Trump, implementing universal healthcare, and raising taxes on the wealthy. She secured endorsements from U.S. Senators Andy Kim, Cory Booker, Bernie Sanders, and Elizabeth Warren, along with U.S. Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. Her opponent, Hathaway, a Randolph Township councilmember and former mayor, attempted to paint Mejia as too far to the left, though national Republicans put little money behind the race.

The 11th District, covering parts of Essex, Morris, and Passaic counties, was once a Republican leaning district but has trended steadily Democratic since 2018. Mejia's victory narrows Republicans' House majority to 217-214.

Swalwell Drops Out of Governor's Race, Resigns From Congress; Gonzales Also Leaves House

U.S. Representative Eric Swalwell suspended his California gubernatorial campaign and resigned from Congress on April 13 after allegations of sexual assault and misconduct. Swalwell had been a top contender in the governor's race before the allegations emerged. His exit reshapes the crowded Democratic field ahead of the June 2 primary, with Katie Porter and Tom Steyer seen as the most likely beneficiaries of his support. A recent SurveyUSA poll showed Steyer leading in the race with 21% support.

Separately, U.S. Representative Tony Gonzales of Texas resigned around the same time following allegations that he had an affair with a staffer who later died by suicide. Gonzales had already withdrawn from his Republican runoff campaign in Texas's 23rd Congressional District.

Campaign Cash Tracker

A snapshot of the latest campaign finance activity, from standout fundraising hauls and war chest totals to financial trends forming the competitive landscape in critical contests.

Talarico Raises Record $27 Million in First Quarter of Texas U.S. Senate Race

More than $27 million poured into the U.S. Senate campaign of Texas State Representative James Talarico in the first quarter of 2026. His campaign touted it as the largest ever first-quarter total for a U.S. Senate candidate in an election year. With this record-breaking fundraising, Talarico receives a major boost as Democrats aim to flip the seat in one of the nation’s most closely watched U.S. Senate races.

Peltola Reports Record $8.9 Million First Quarter Haul in Alaska U.S. Senate Race

Former U.S. Representative Mary Peltola’s U.S. Senate campaign announced an $8.9 million haul in Alaska, the largest first-quarter fundraising total for a U.S. Senate candidate in the state, according to her campaign. National Democrats’ enthusiasm for Peltola’s bid is evident, as she seeks to challenge Republican incumbent Dan Sullivan in a race considered a top pickup opportunity for the party. Grassroots donors powered this effort, with 95% of contributions reportedly being $100 or less, her campaign said.

Alan Wilson Posts Strong First Quarter Fundraising in South Carolina Governor’s Race

South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson announced raising more than $1 million in the first quarter of 2026 for his gubernatorial campaign, marking a strong early fundraising showing in the race to succeed term-limited Governor Henry McMaster. The fundraising haul positions Wilson as a leading contender in the crowded Republican primary.

Ossoff Raises $14 Million in First Quarter for Georgia U.S. Senate Reelection Bid

U.S. Senator Jon Ossoff announced raising $14 million in the first quarter of 2026 for his reelection campaign, one of the largest quarterly totals of any U.S. Senate candidate this cycle. The strong fundraising showing comes as Ossoff prepares for millions in outside spending from Republican-aligned super PACs in what is expected to be one of the most competitive U.S. Senate races in the country.

Pappas Raises $3.3 Million in First Quarter, Outpaces GOP Field in New Hampshire U.S. Senate Race

U.S. Representative Chris Pappas announced raising more than $3.3 million in the first quarter of 2026 for his U.S. Senate campaign, continuing a strong early fundraising pace in the open-seat race. His campaign emphasized that the total again outpaced the combined fundraising of the Republican field, signaling early financial strength in one of the cycle’s key battlegrounds. The campaign added that the haul was powered largely by grassroots support, with 97% of donations under $100 and tens of thousands of new donors contributing.

State & Local Spotlight

Coverage of notable state and local election events that may indicate broader political trends or influence higher-profile races.

Alabama Enacts Post-Election Audit Requirement Into Law

Alabama Governor Kay Ivey has signed House Bill 95, the Alabama Post-Election Audit Act, into law, establishing a new statewide requirement for post-election audits of election results. Under the measure, every Alabama county must conduct an audit after each general election, with officials reviewing one countywide race and one statewide race from a single precinct in every county. The audit process will begin no earlier than 31 days after the election or once the period for filing an election contest has expired, and must be completed within 30 days. The new law takes effect immediately.

Data & Polling Roundup

An overview of newly released polling and data understandings that help contextualize the current electoral landscape and emerging trends.

El-Sayed, McMorrow Tied Atop Michigan Democratic U.S. Senate Primary, Emerson Poll Finds

A new Emerson College/WOOD-TV poll of 519 likely Democratic primary voters in Michigan, conducted April 11–13 with a margin of error of +/- 4.3%, shows former Wayne County health director Abdul El-Sayed and State Senator Mallory McMorrow tied for the lead at 24% each in the Democratic U.S. Senate primary. U.S. Representative Haley Stevens trails at 13%, while 36% of voters remain undecided. The survey highlights a wide-open and competitive primary race to replace retiring U.S. Senator Gary Peters, with significant generational divides shaping the contest and a large share of voters still up for grabs ahead of the August primary.

Markey Holds Double-Digit Lead in Massachusetts U.S. Senate Primary, New Suffolk Poll Finds

A new Suffolk University/Boston Globe poll of 500 registered voters in Massachusetts, conducted April 9–13 with a margin of error of +/- 4.4%, shows incumbent U.S. Senator Ed Markey leading U.S. Representative Seth Moulton 47% to 30% in the Democratic U.S. Senate primary, with 20% of voters undecided. The survey suggests Markey remains the clear frontrunner as he seeks renomination, though a sizable share of the electorate has yet to make up its mind. The Massachusetts primary is scheduled for September 1.

California Governor Primary Remains Fluid as Steyer Leads

A new SurveyUSA poll of 788 likely voters in California, conducted April 8–10 with a margin of error of +/- 5.2%, shows investor and former presidential candidate Tom Steyer leading the crowded 2026 California gubernatorial primary field with 21%, followed by Republican Steve Hilton at 18%. Chad Bianco and Katie Porter each receive 8%, while 18% of voters remain undecided. The survey was conducted before Swalwell announced his withdrawal from the race, meaning the field has shifted since then. The California primary is scheduled for June 2.

Cornyn Holds Narrow Edge Over Paxton in New Texas GOP Runoff Poll

A new co/efficient poll of 1,143 likely Republican runoff voters in Texas, conducted April 11–14, shows incumbent U.S. Senator John Cornyn narrowly leading Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton 44% to 43% in the Republican U.S. Senate runoff, with 13% of voters undecided. The survey underscores how competitive the high-stakes intraparty showdown remains as the two Republicans battle in one of the cycle’s most closely watched primary runoffs. The Texas Republican U.S. Senate runoff is scheduled for May 26.