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.
Harris and Fuller Advance to Runoff in Georgia’s 14th Congressional District Special Election – In Georgia’s 14th Congressional District, Democrat Shawn Harris and Republican Clay Fuller advanced to a runoff after the March 10 special election yielded no outright winner. The election will fill the seat vacated by former U.S. Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene. Harris, a retired brigadier general, and Fuller, a former district attorney, finished as the top two vote-getters in a crowded all-party field. As neither surpassed the 50% threshold needed to win, a runoff is scheduled for April 7. Fuller is backed by President Trump, while Harris was the Democratic nominee in 2024.
Mississippi Primaries Set the Stage for November General Election - Mississippi voters headed to the polls on March 10 for the state’s primary elections, determining the nominees who will compete in the November general election. Below is a summary of several key primary races that will shape the upcoming ballot.
Hyde-Smith, Colom Advance to November in Mississippi U.S. Senate Race – U.S. Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith won the Mississippi Republican U.S. Senate primary on March 10, defeating physician Sarah Adlakha 80.8% to 19.2%. On the Democratic side, District Attorney Scott Colom claimed his party's nomination with 73.0%, ahead of Priscilla Till, who received 18.5% of the vote.
Thompson Wins Easily in 2nd Congressional District Primary – U.S. Representative Bennie Thompson won Mississippi’s 2nd Congressional District Democratic primary with 86.1%. Evan Turnage came second at 12.6%, and Pertis Williams received 1.3%.
Kelly Runs Unopposed as Johnson Wins Democratic Nod in Mississippi's 1st Congressional District – U.S. Representative Trent Kelly faced no Republican primary opposition in Mississippi’s 1st Congressional District, while on the Democratic side, Cliff Johnson defeated former State Representative Kelvin Buck 63.6% to 36.4%.
Ezell Easily Defeats Challenger in Mississippi's 4th Congressional District Primary – U.S. Representative Mike Ezell secured the Republican nomination in Mississippi’s 4th Congressional District Republican primary with 84.1% of the vote, turning back challenger Sawyer Walters, who received 15.9%.
Kevin Kiley Leaves GOP, Will Run as Independent in California’s newly drawn 6th Congressional District - California U.S. Representative Kevin Kiley announced on March 9 that he has left the Republican Party and will run as an independent in California's 6th Congressional District. His decision makes him the only independent member currently serving in the U.S. House of Representatives. The move comes after California’s mid-decade redistricting significantly reshaped his district, eliminating much of its Republican-leaning territory and placing him in a far more Democratic seat. He described the switch as a response to what he called partisan gerrymandering. With Kiley’s departure from the GOP, the House Republican majority dropped to 217 seats, one short of the 218 needed for a majority in the chamber. Despite leaving the party, Kiley said he will continue to caucus with Republicans in the House.
Clyburn Announces Bid for 18th Term in Congress - Democratic U.S. Representative Jim Clyburn announced Thursday at the South Carolina Democratic Party headquarters in Columbia that he will seek an 18th term in Congress. His decision contrasts with fellow longtime Democratic leaders Nancy Pelosi and Steny Hoyer, who have both announced plans to retire. Addressing questions about his age, the 85-year-old lawmaker said he would not run for reelection unless he believed he could continue performing the duties of the office. Clyburn added that he has not yet decided whether the upcoming campaign will be his final run for Congress.
Former Virginia First Lady Dorothy McAuliffe Enters Race for New Northern Virginia Congressional Seat - Dorothy McAuliffe, former Virginia first lady and later a State Department official, announced her run for Congress on Wednesday. She seeks Virginia's newly drawn 7th Congressional District, which spans from Arlington to Augusta County. The district, one of four newly redrawn to favor Democrats, will take effect if Virginia voters approve the new proposed congressional map in a statewide vote on April 21.
Kevin Hern Enters Oklahoma U.S. Senate Race to Succeed Mullin - U.S. Representative Kevin Hern announced that he is running for the U.S. Senate seat expected to be vacated by U.S. Senator Markwayne Mullin. The seat could open if Mullin is confirmed by the U.S. Senate after being selected by President Trump as his nominee to serve as Secretary of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. Hern becomes the first candidate to formally enter the race for the Oklahoma U.S. Senate seat. Under Oklahoma law, the individual appointed to temporarily fill Mullin’s seat following confirmation must sign an affidavit pledging not to run for the full term in the subsequent election.
State & Local Spotlight
Coverage of notable state and local election events that may indicate broader political trends or influence higher-profile races.
Democrats Flip New Hampshire Seat - Democrat Bobbi Boudman flipped a Republican-held seat in the New Hampshire House on March 10, defeating Republican Dale Fincher 51% to 47% in the Carroll County District 7 special election. The result came in a district that voted Republican by more than 13 points just 16 months ago, making it a notable upset. Democrats have now flipped 28 state legislative seats since Trump took office.
Data & Polling Roundup
An overview of newly released polling and data understandings that help contextualize the current electoral landscape and emerging trends.
California Governor Primary Race Remains Wide Open - A new Emerson College Polling/Inside California Politics survey conducted March 7–9, among 1,000 likely voters, finds the California governor's race wide open ahead of the June primary. U.S. Representative Eric Swalwell leads the field with 17%, followed by Republican commentator Steve Hilton at 13%, former hedge fund manager Tom Steyer at 11%, Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco at 11%, and former U.S. Representative Katie Porter at 8%. A full 25% of voters remain undecided.
Acton Leads Ramaswamy, Brown Leads Husted in Ohio Governor and U.S. Senate Races - A newly released EMC Research survey of 1,343 likely Ohio November 2026 voters, conducted February 10-22, with a margin of error of +/- 2.7%, shows Democrats leading in both the governor and U.S. Senate races.
Ohio Governor: Democrat Amy Acton leads Republican Vivek Ramaswamy 53% to 43%. Acton has consolidated Democratic support at 82%, while Ramaswamy is underperforming among Republicans at just 65%. Independent voters are breaking 51% to 46% for Acton.
Ohio U.S. Senate: U.S. Former Senator Sherrod Brown leads incumbent U.S. Senator Jon Husted 51% to 47%. Brown draws 84% of Democrats, while Husted pulls 70% of Republicans. Independent voters are nearly evenly split, 49% for Husted and 48% for Brown.
Wilson and Mace Lead Crowded Field in SC GOP Governor Primary - A new Quantus Insights poll of 806 likely South Carolina Republican primary voters, conducted March 10-11, with a margin of error of +/- 3.5%, finds the GOP governor's race with no clear frontrunner. South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson and U.S. Representative Nancy Mace are tied atop the field at 22% each, followed by South Carolina Lieutenant Governor Pamela Evette at 16%, U.S. Representative Ralph Norman at 11%, and South Carolina State Senator Josh Kimbrell at 3%. More than a quarter of respondents, 26%, remain undecided.
Stratton Holds Narrow Lead Over Krishnamoorthi in Illinois Senate Democratic Primary - A new Public Policy Polling survey of the Illinois U.S. Senate Democratic primary, conducted March 9-10, shows Illinois Lieutenant Governor Juliana Stratton leading U.S. Representative Raja Krishnamoorthi by two points at 32% to 30%, with U.S. Representative Robin Kelly in third place at 13%. The poll surveyed 700 likely Democratic primary voters from March 9-10, with a margin of error of +/- 3.7%. 63% of interviews were conducted via text message, and 37% via telephone. The poll was sponsored by the Democratic Lieutenant Governors Association, which is backing Stratton.
New Maine Poll Shows Tight 2026 Senate Race - A new Quantus Insights poll of 800 likely Maine voters, conducted March 3–5, shows U.S. Senator Susan Collins in a highly competitive reelection battle. In a hypothetical matchup with progressive Democratic candidate Graham Platner, Collins trails 48.6% to 41.8%. However, against Maine Governor Janet Mills, Collins holds a slight lead of 44.6% to 43.0%, a margin that falls within the survey’s ±3.5% margin of error.