BallotWire Briefs — Weekly Election Update (April 6-10)

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.

Fuller Wins Georgia’s 14th District Runoff, Takes Marjorie Taylor Greene's Seat

Republican Clay Fuller, a former district attorney, defeated Democrat Shawn Harris, a retired Army brigadier general and farmer, on April 7 in the special election runoff for Georgia's 14th Congressional District. Fuller captured 55.90% of the vote, while Harris received 44.10%. Backed by President Trump, Fuller will serve out the remainder of Marjorie Taylor Greene's term through January 2027.

The result was expected given the district's deep Republican lean; however, Harris's performance drew attention, as he outperformed the 2024 Democratic presidential results by 25 points. Harris had previously lost to Greene in 2024 by a wider margin, receiving just 35% of the vote. The closer-than-expected margin came amid Trump's sagging approval numbers and voter concerns over rising gas prices and the ongoing conflict with Iran.

As a result of Fuller’s win, Republicans will have 219 seats in the U.S. House, restoring the party’s working majority once he is sworn in.

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.

McMorrow Reports $3 Million First Quarter Haul in Michigan U.S. Senate Race

Michigan State Senator Mallory McMorrow announced raising more than $3 million in the first quarter of 2026, her largest quarterly total yet in the race for the U.S. Senate seat being vacated by retiring U.S. Senator Gary Peters. More than 120,000 individual donors contributed, with no corporate PAC money accepted. McMorrow is competing in a Democratic primary alongside U.S. Representative Haley Stevens and former public health official Abdul El-Sayed. Her campaign also said she now leads the field by 5 points in the latest polling.

Andrews Reports $2.1 Million First Quarter Haul in SC U.S. Senate Race

Democratic South Carolina Senate candidate Dr. Annie Andrews raised $2.1 million in the first quarter of 2026, her strongest quarterly total yet in her bid to unseat Republican incumbent U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham. The haul brings her total raised since launching her campaign last May to over $6 million, all from individual donors with no corporate PAC money accepted.

Ford Reports Record $1.5 Million First Quarter Haul in Nevada Governor's Race

Nevada Attorney General Aaron Ford raised nearly $1.5 million in the first quarter of 2026, a record for a non-incumbent gubernatorial candidate in Nevada history. The total includes more than $1.2 million raised directly into his campaign and an additional $215,000 into an affiliated PAC, bringing his combined cash on hand to nearly $2.7 million. More than 13,000 individual donors contributed during the quarter, with 90% of donations at $80 or less. Ford is challenging Republican incumbent Governor Joe Lombardo.

Senate Leadership Fund Announces Record $342 Million Investment in 2026 U.S. Senate Races

The Senate Leadership Fund, the main super PAC aligned with Senate Republicans, announced a $342 million investment across eight key U.S. Senate races on April 6, the largest single-cycle commitment in the group's history. The biggest allocation is $79 million in Ohio, where incumbent U.S. Senator Jon Husted will likely face former U.S. Senator Sherrod Brown in the general election, followed by $71 million in North Carolina's open seat race, $42 million to protect U.S. Senator Susan Collins in Maine, $29 million in Iowa's open seat, and $15 million in Alaska. On offense, the fund is targeting Democratic-held seats in Michigan ($45 million), Georgia ($44 million), and New Hampshire ($17 million). The spending will run from early September through Election Day and includes a heavy streaming component, with ad reservations 66% larger than the group's entire 2024 digital investment. Republicans currently hold a 53-47 Senate majority, with Democrats needing to flip four seats to win control.

State & Local Spotlight

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

Taylor Wins Wisconsin Supreme Court Race, Expands Liberal Majority to 5-2

Democratic-backed Court of Appeals Judge Chris Taylor defeated Republican-backed Judge Maria Lazar 60% to 39% on April 7, expanding the Wisconsin Supreme Court's liberal majority from 4-3 to 5-2. It marks the fourth straight victory for liberal-backed candidates since 2020, with liberals now guaranteed to hold the majority through at least 2030. The race filled the seat of retiring conservative Justice Rebecca Bradley and drew far less national attention and spending than Wisconsin's previous two Supreme Court elections. With another conservative justice set to retire in 2027, Democrats will have an opportunity to push the court to a 6-1 liberal majority.

Data & Polling Roundup

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

Massie Leads Trump-Backed Challenger in Competitive Kentucky U.S. House Primary

A new Quantus Insights poll of 438 likely Republican primary voters in Kentucky's 4th Congressional District, conducted April 6-7 with a margin of error of +/- 4.4%, shows incumbent U.S. Representative Thomas Massie leading Trump-endorsed challenger Ed Gallrein 46.8% to 37.7%, with 14% of voters still undecided. The race is one of the most closely watched primary battles of the cycle. A separate Big Data Poll conducted around the same time showed Massie ahead 52% to 48% among voters who expressed a preference. The Kentucky primary is scheduled for May 19.

California Governor's Race: Republicans Lead, Trump Shakes Up the Field

A new EVITARUS poll of likely voters in California's 2026 gubernatorial race, conducted March 31 through April 5 with a margin of error of +/- 2.83%, shows Republicans Steve Hilton and Chad Bianco tied at 14%, with Democrats Eric Swalwell, Katie Porter, and Tom Steyer trailing at 12%, 11%, and 7% respectively. Under California's jungle primary system, the top two finishers regardless of party advance to November, raising the prospect of an all-Republican general election ballot. President Trump endorsed Hilton shortly after the poll closed, a move that could consolidate Republican support behind one candidate and ensure at least one Democrat advances to the fall. The California primary is June 2.