Photo credit: United States Capitol at night with trailing car tail lights, Washington, DC, USA. Orhan Cam / Shutterstock
By BallotWire
2026
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.
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.
DCCC Unveils First 12 Candidates for 2026 "Red to Blue" Program - The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC) announced its first slate of candidates for its "Red to Blue" program on February 23rd, targeting Republican-held House seats ahead of the midterms. The 12 selected candidates spanning Arizona, Iowa, Michigan, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and Wisconsin include veterans, farmers, small business owners, prosecutors, mayors, and ministers. Several of the candidates are repeat challengers who notably outperformed Democratic candidates at the top of the ticket in 2024.
Federal Court Approves Utah's Revised Congressional Map Ahead of 2026 Midterms - A federal court has dismissed a Republican-backed effort to prevent Utah's newly drawn congressional map from taking effect, clearing the path for its use in the 2026 elections. The revised map consolidates much of Salt Lake City into one district, a configuration widely seen as boosting Democratic prospects in a state where the party has long struggled to compete for any of its four U.S. House seats. The ruling is the latest development in an extended legal battle over how Utah redraws its political boundaries following voter-approved redistricting reforms.
Idaho Gov. Brad Little officially launches bid for a third term - Republican Governor Brad Little has formally announced he is seeking reelection in the 2026 Idaho gubernatorial race, filing his declaration of candidacy with the Idaho Secretary of State. Idaho does not impose term limits on its governors, making Little eligible for a third term. Little was first elected governor in 2018, winning 59.7% of the vote, and won a second term in 2022 with 60.5% of the vote. Idaho is a historically Republican state, having not elected a Democratic governor since 1990, giving GOP nominees a strong structural advantage in statewide races.
State & Local Spotlight
Coverage of notable state and local election events that may indicate broader political trends or influence higher-profile races.
Harriman Won Maine House District 94 Special Election - Democrat Scott Harriman won the February 24th special election for Maine House District 94, defeating Republican Janet Beaudoin with 53.1% of the vote and allowing Democrats to retain their majority in the Maine House of Representatives.
Tiburcio Won Pennsylvania House District 22 Special Election - Democrat Ana Tiburcio won the February 24th special general election for Pennsylvania House of Representatives District 22, defeating Republican Robert E. Smith Jr. with 67.2% of the vote to 32.7% and keeping the seat in Democratic hands.
Mazzocco Won Pennsylvania House District 42 Special Election - Democrat Jennifer Mazzocco won the February 24th special general election for Pennsylvania House of Representatives District 42, defeating Republican Joseph Leckenby by a wide margin, with about 81.7% of the vote to 18.2%.
Data & Polling Roundup
An overview of newly released polling and data understandings that help contextualize the current electoral landscape and emerging trends.
Poll Shows Crockett, Paxton Leading 2026 Texas U.S. Senate Primaries: A new University of Texas/Texas Politics Project poll, conducted February 2–16, ahead of early voting, shows U.S. Representative Jasmine Crockett leading the Democratic primary and Attorney General Ken Paxton holding a narrow lead in the Republican primary. Among Democratic primary voters, 56% support Crockett, compared with 44% for State Representative James Talarico. On the Republican side, Paxton leads with 36%, followed closely by incumbent U.S. Senator John Cornyn at 34% and U.S. Representative Wesley Hunt at 26%. The survey sampled 1,300 registered voters who identified as self-identified registered voters across Texas.
Platner Leads Mills in Maine Democratic U.S. Senate Primary- A new University of New Hampshire Survey Center poll, conducted February 12–16 among 1,162 Maine residents, shows progressive oyster farmer Graham Platner leading the Democratic primary with 64% support, compared to 26% for Governor Janet Mills. The poll also finds Platner with a 71% favorable rating among likely Democratic primary voters, versus 51% for Mills. In hypothetical general election matchups, Platner leads incumbent Republican U.S. Senator Susan Collins by 49% to 38%, while Mills holds a narrower 41% to 40% edge over Collins.
Quantus Poll Shows Fleming Leading Louisiana GOP U.S. Senate Primary - A new Quantus Insights poll finds Louisiana State Treasurer John Fleming leading the Louisiana Republican U.S. Senate primary with 34.2% support, followed by U.S. Representative Julia Letlow at 24.6% and incumbent U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy at 19.8%, while 21.3% of voters remain undecided. The survey was conducted February 23–24, among 1,428 likely Republican primary voters, including unaffiliated voters who have historically participated in GOP primaries.
Markey Leading Massachusetts Democratic Senate Primary – A new University of New Hampshire Survey Center poll, conducted February 12–16 among 670 Massachusetts residents, finds incumbent Democratic U.S. Senator Ed Markey leading the Democratic primary with 35% support. U.S. Representative Seth Moulton follows at 23%, with Alex Rikleen at 7% and William Francis Gates at 1%, while 30% remain undecided.