Candidates clash in heated debates with US midterm elections less than 3 weeks away

Republican Senate candidate Michele Tafoya slammed Democratic opponent Peggy Flanagan during a Minnesota debate, accusing the former lieutenant governor of failing to prevent massive fraud in state-administered programs.

"It is rich to hear my opponent talk about lost access to programs when under her watch while she was second in command of this state, Minnesota saw billions and billions and billions of fraud dollars walk out the door to fraudsters," Tafoya said.

Tafoya pointed to Minnesota's Medicaid programs, the Feeding Our Future scandal and services for children with autism while challenging Flanagan's criticism of reduced access to government assistance.

"This historic fraud happened under her watch and suddenly she's looking out for medicaid SNAP, sell it to someone else, Peggy," Tafoya said.

The clash came during the candidates' first and only scheduled debate, hosted by Minnesota Public Radio on Friday. Minnesota's welfare fraud scandals have become a central issue in the Senate race.

Michigan Democrat congressional candidate William Lawrence apologized Friday for past comments criticizing Black leaders after facing backlash from members of the Congressional Black Caucus.

Lawrence, who is challenging Republican Rep. Tom Barrett in Michigan's 7th Congressional District, addressed the controversy during an appearance on "Battleground Midterms" on FOX 5 DC.

The candidate previously described some Black leaders as "a pillar for establishment capitalist, imperialist American power," prompting a political action committee affiliated with the Congressional Black Caucus to call on his supporters to denounce the remarks and withdraw their backing.

"But what I regret was the impression that we were singling out a particular group for criticism, which was not really the case if you listen in context, but it was a stupid statement that I shouldn't have made," Lawrence said.

"And I apologize for it and I've had great conversations with members of the CBC since then," he added.

Lawrence said the original remarks came during a discussion with a Black antiwar organizer about building a multiracial movement.

The campaigns for Rep. Barrett and William Lawrence did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital's requests for comment.

A Texas Democratic congressional candidate's campaign reported more than $4,300 in spending on cookies, Mexican restaurant purchases and beer and wine earlier this year, according to federal election records, drawing renewed attention after a heated debate in which she apologized for a remark about her Republican opponent "making fun of Nazis."

Katy Padilla Stout, the Democrat nominee for Texas' 23rd Congressional District, reported expenditures totaling $4,338.14 across five transactions in March and April, according to spending details cited in an August report by RedState and records attributed to the Federal Election Commission (FEC).

The reported purchases included $675 for cookies for a campaign event, $1,289.22 at Total Wine and $2,373.92 at Las Guitarras Cocina Mexicana.

The expenditures have also become a line of attack for Republican Brandon Herrera, whose campaign website showcases the cookie purchase and accuses Stout of using donor funds to pay for the treats.

According to the spending details, the campaign reported a $675 payment dated March 30 with the stated purpose "COOKIES FOR EVENT." Herrera's website identifies the payee as Denise Gamboa Zelle and categorizes the expense as a campaign event expenditure.

Additional transactions included $1,089.08 at Total Wine on April 21 and $200.14 the following day, both described as "BEER AND WINE."The campaign also reported payments of $2,027.52 and $346.40 to Las Guitarras Cocina Mexicana on April 27 and April 28, respectively, according to the transaction details.

In a statement to Fox News Digital, Stout said the disbursements "were for campaign and fundraising events which were attended by our supporters."

"Sugar cookies, particularly Texas-shaped ones, hold a special place in Texan culture," she said. "We bought ours at a local bakery because we believe in supporting small businesses."

This is an excerpt of an article by Fox News Digital's Jasmine Baehr.

President Donald Trump took aim at Democratic Sen. Jon Ossoff during a Friday rally in Dalton, Georgia, mocking his appearance and urging voters to replace him with Republican Rep. Mike Collins in November.

"At 18 days from now, the people of Georgia are going to defeat your weak, arrogant, hate filled, radical left senator," Trump told the crowd, referring to Ossoff.

"His name is John Ossoff. Highly overrated. And we're going to send Mike Collins to the United States Senate," he added.

Trump revived his nickname for Ossoff, comparing him to comedian Pee-wee Herman, before taking another swipe at the senator's appearance.

"Somebody said he's a good looking man. I don't think he's a good looking man. I actually think Mike Collins is a good looking man," Trump said.

The president also recalled Ossoff's 2017 special election defeat and urged Georgians to turn out for Republican candidates in November.

"You have to pretend I'm on the ballot. OK?" Trump told the gathered crowd. "So this is really, I think, the most important midterm election maybe we've ever had."

DETROIT — Former President Barack Obama’s endorsement of Michigan Democratic Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed is getting a mixed reception among Black voters in Detroit, with some undecided voters saying the former president's backing isn't enough to win them over.

Fox News Digital spoke with more than a dozen Black voters in Detroit, most of whom said they plan to back El-Sayed in November, but several undecided voters said Obama's endorsement had not persuaded them to support the Democrat. The reactions come as Republican Senate nominee Mike Rogers seeks to win over disaffected Democrats, including Black voters in Detroit, a key constituency for the party in Michigan.

"Honestly, it's a turnoff just because I've seen too many candidates use him just to manipulate the Democratic vote," Mercedes, one undecided Black voter, told Fox News Digital of Obama's endorsement.

"No, not at all," Anthony, another undecided Black voter, told Fox News Digital when asked if Obama’s endorsement had swayed him toward El-Sayed. "What he's been able to do is from an image standpoint, as far as ‘hope,’ he drove the point there. But as far as really giving back to the community, minority owned businesses, and everyone across the board, I don't really think he really got there for me … he really hasn't swayed me one way or another."

Obama and El-Sayed are preparing to campaign together in Michigan despite the Democratic Senate nominee's history of sharply criticizing the former president, a political reversal that also drew mixed reactions from Black Detroit voters interviewed by Fox News Digital.

Juanita, another Black voter who has yet to commit to El-Sayed, told Fox News Digital that, "I don't want to be pushed to vote for him because somebody else is backing him."

This is an excerpt of an article by Fox News Digital's Robert Schmad.

President Donald Trump touched down in Georgia Friday afternoon for a midterm campaign rally, throwing his support behind Republican Senate candidate Mike Collins and gubernatorial hopeful Rick Jackson as the GOP fights to maintain its congressional majorities.

"Just landed in Georgia, heading over to the Big Rally — Lots of people! See you soon," Trump wrote on Truth Social."We must get Congressman Mike Collins elected to the U.S. Senate — He is far superior to Pee Wee Herman (Jon Osoff). Likewise, Rick Jackson will be a fantastic Governor of the Peach State!" the president added.

The White House also shared a photograph of Trump raising his fist with the caption, "ARE YOU READY, GEORGIA?"

White House spokeswoman Lauren Bis praised the administration's immigration enforcement record ahead of the rally.

"One of President’s greatest successes has been closing the border and dismantling Tren de Aragua. Biden allowed this vicious gang to invade our country and kill innocent Americans, like Georgia nursing student Laken Riley. President Trump’s crackdown on illegal immigration and transnational gangs has contributed to the largest decrease in violent crime in American history," Bis told Fox News.

The Justice Department announced charges against 16 noncitizens Friday for alleged illegal voting and election-related offenses across North Carolina, New York and Idaho, including cases involving ballots cast in multiple presidential elections.

Ten peopl were charged in North Carolina, five in New York and one in Idaho, according to the DOJ.

Among those charged is Eduardd Omar Majano Sosa, a 22-year-old Salvadoran national who entered the country illegally and allegedly registered to vote and cast a ballot in the 2024 general election.

Prosecutors also charged German national Ramona Abreu-Exia, 71, a lawful permanent resident accused of voting in eight general elections between 2004 and 2024.

Another defendant, Gjina Gojcaj McDonald, 60, allegedly voted in seven general elections spanning 2008 to 2024, along with a special election and a primary.

The charges include voting by noncitizens and falsely claiming U.S. citizenship to register or vote. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty.

President Donald Trump will rally in Dalton, Georgia this afternoon as he makes stops around the U.S. to help boost Republicans during the midterm election season.

"President Trump is coming to Dalton TODAY! Show the President that Georgia is TRUMP COUNTRY," the Republican National Committee declared in a Friday post on X.

Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., is donating $1 million from her campaign to help boost Democratic Michigan U.S. Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed's election bid.

The congresswoman, who is also known by her initials, AOC, said during a rally in Pontiac on Friday that she “will be transferring from our campaign in New York, $1 million to the state of Michigan to help support you all. So I'm not talkin’ about it. I'm bein’ about it.”

The New York Times reported that the congresswoman transferred $1 million on Friday to the Abdul for Michigan Victory Fund, which it described as a joint venture involving El-Sayed's campaign, the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee as well as the Michigan Democratic State Central Committee. The Ocasio-Cortez campaign confirmed the outlet's reporting to Fox News Digital

"I’m not waking up on November 4th wishing I did more to combat the smears aimed at Abdul," Ocasio-Cortez said in a statement that her campaign provided to Fox News Digital. "I'm leaving everything I can on the field."

Asked after the event on Friday whether this is the first time she's ever transferred that much funding to a candidate, the congresswoman said "Yes," noting that it is "the first time that I've made a transfer of this kind," adding that it is her first transfer of this type "to a Senate candidate as well."

The El-Sayed campaign did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital's comment request on Friday.

El-Sayed is running against President Donald Trump-backed Republican candidate former Rep. Mike Rogers.

President Donald Trump will make a midterm campaign stop in Clemson, South Carolina next week as he continues aiming to boost GOP candidates ahead of Election Day.

"I’m proud to be endorsed by President Donald J. Trump, and I’m honored that he is returning to South Carolina in Clemson next Wednesday to rally support for this crucial election," Sen. Darline Graham noted in a post on X. "I hope you’ll join President Trump and me for this historic event," she added.

Graham, the sister of the late Sen. Lindsey Graham, was appointed to the Senate by Gov. Henry McMaster on the heels of her brother's death earlier this year. She is seeking a full, six-year term in the Palmetto State's U.S. Senate race.

Trump-endorsed House GOP incumbent Rep. Sheri Biggs, R-S.C., wrote in a post on X, "Join me - and other SC conservatives - next Wednesday as we give President Trump a BIG Upstate welcome as we rally for the Midterms. You won't want to miss it."

Several legacy news organizations have not covered allegations involving the family of Democratic Michigan Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed.

El-Sayed's denial of having any family ties to the Muslim Brotherhood has drawn questions after several social media posts from his half-sister suggested that members of their family, including their mother, were active in the Islamist group.

ABC and CBS had not mentioned the allegations on their morning or evening news broadcasts as of Thursday, Oct. 15, according to a Fox News Digital review of Grabien transcripts.

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A self-described lifelong Democrat is backing Republican U.S. Senate candidate former Rep. Mike Rogers in Michigan's widely-watched U.S. Senate contest.

Former Pontiac City Councilwoman Melanie Rutherford told Fox News' "America's Newsroom" on Friday that she has "always voted Democrat," but will be supporting Rogers.

Rutherford previously backed Rep. Haley Stevens, D-Mich., who lost the Michigan Democratic U.S. Senate primary to Abdul El-Sayed earlier this year.

"I couldn't in my right mind vote for this guy," Rutherford said of El-Sayed, adding that the candidate's thinking did not line up with what she believes is "best for the party."

"And we needed someone who has the background, who has the experience, and someone who actually is going to have these conversations, even if they're tough, about how to move the state of Michigan forward," she said in explaining her path to supporting Rogers.

Rutherford noted that as a former Pontiac elected figure, "everybody knows me as this staunch Democrat," but explained that her thinking is more in alignment with Mike Rogers, who she said is "about the whole conglomerate of people and not just a select few. And so that's what made me switch and vote for him."

President Donald Trump has endorsed Rogers while former President Barack Obama has backed El-Sayed.

Don Bolduc, a former Trump-endorsed GOP candidate who lost the 2022 New Hampshire U.S. Senate contest to Democratic Sen. Maggie Hassan, has backed Democratic Rep. Chris Pappas in the Granite State's 2026 Senate race.

“Chris Pappas’s unwavering dedication to our veterans and his efforts to foster bipartisan cooperation set him apart as a leader who will prioritize the needs of all constituents,” Bolduc said, according to the Pappas campaign. “His ability to navigate the complex landscape of our economy, tackle the national debt with a steady hand, and work towards solutions that bridge divides is especially critical in today’s challenging political climate.”

Prior to his 2022 general election loss, Bolduc had placed second in the 2020 New Hampshire GOP U.S. Senate primary.

Pappas is running against Trump-endorsed Republican U.S. Senate candidate, former Sen. John E. Sununu.

The Sununu campaign did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital's comment request on Friday.

The Pappas campaign noted in its Thursday press release that it "unveiled its 'Country Before Party' steering committee of Republicans and Independents who are endorsing Pappas’s campaign to lower costs and create a freer, fairer future for New Hampshire," noting that the group includes Bolduc and others.

The Clintons are back on the midterm campaign circuit — with Bill Clinton heading to Florida to stump for Democratic gubernatorial nominee David Jolly and Hillary Clinton taking to the podcast microphone as the party makes its final push toward Election Day.

The former president is scheduled to make his first public campaign appearance of the 2026 election cycle on Oct. 20 for Jolly, a former Republican congressman turned Democrat. Hillary, meanwhile, has teamed up with journalist Kara Swisher for a new midterm-focused podcast series and has been making campaign appearances of her own.

The moves bring two of the Democratic Party's most recognizable figures into the midterm fight as the party grapples with competing visions for its future, raising questions about how much influence the Clintons still wield as progressive candidates challenge the Democratic establishment.

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Fuel prices remain elevated less than three weeks ahead ahead of Election Day in the widely-watched 2026 midterms, with the AAA national average prices for gas and diesel well above $4 and $6 respectively

The AAA national average price for regular gas is $4.3271 as of Oct. 16, while the national average for diesel is 6.3261.

The highest recorded AAA national average price for regular gas was $5.0165 in June 2022 during President Joe Biden's White House tenure, while the record for diesel of $6.5276 was set less than a month ago during President Donald Trump's current term.

Sen. Dan Sullivan, R-Alaska, and former Rep. Mary Peltola traded blows Thursday night in the final debate of a Senate race that has surprised some political observers with how close it has become.

The latest Fox News Power Rankings rate Alaska’s Senate race as a "toss-up," meaning neither party has an edge. Alaska has historically favored the GOP, though the party’s margin of victory has narrowed in recent cycles.

Sullivan and Peltola clashed over energy costs, the Iran war, Social Security reform, healthcare policy, military spending, allegations of misconduct and fish, among other topics, but a handful of exchanges stood out from the rest.

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Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., is advocating for increasing the federal minimum wage to $20 per hour "at least," a figure that would more than double the current $7.25 minimum wage.

"We can no longer tolerate a rigged economy that has enabled one man to become a trillionaire while the U.S. minimum wage has been stuck at $7.25/hour for 17 years. When Democrats regain control of Congress we must raise the minimum wage to at least $20 an hour," Sanders asserted in a post on X. "No more excuses."

Republicans currently hold the majority in both chambers of Congress, but Democrats are hoping that the midterm elections will shift the balance of power in their favor.

"The federal minimum wage for covered nonexempt employees is $7.25 per hour," according to the U.S. Department of Labor. "Many states also have minimum wage laws. In cases where an employee is subject to both the state and federal minimum wage laws, the employee is entitled to the higher of the two minimum wages."

President Donald Trump said in a Truth Social post that he will visit Iowa on Oct. 22 and Nov. 1 in a bid to boost GOP candidates ahead of Election Day.

"The reason I’ll be there is to get truly fantastic Warriors elected, including Ashley Hinson for U.S. Senate, Zach Lahn for Governor, Mariannette Miller-Meeks for Iowa’s 1st Congressional District, Joe Mitchell for the 2nd District, Zach Nunn for the 3rd District, and Chris McGowan for the 4th District — They are all spectacular people, and have my Complete and Total Endorsement," the president declared in the Thursday post.

"I will see you on October 22nd, and again on November 1st, where we will have two spectacular Rallies honoring all of the above — and more. THANK YOU IOWA FOR YOUR GREAT SUPPORT — I WILL NEVER LET YOU DOWN, AND NEITHER WILL ANY OF OUR GREAT REPUBLICAN CANDIDATES!" he added.

Alaska Democratic Senate hopeful Mary Peltola faced ridicule Thursday night after her use of notecards during a debate with Republican Sen. Dan Sullivan drew mocking responses from GOP critics — including a pointed jab from her incumbent opponent.

Sullivan is in an unusually close race with Peltola, a former congresswoman, that is further complicated by another candidate with his same name but a different middle initial, as Republicans fight to hold their narrow Senate majority.

"Really, Mary? Reading off a script? You can't cue-card your way through the Senate," Sullivan wrote on X after Peltola appeared to have a notecard-sized paper with bullet points that she looked down at for several seconds while responding to earlier questions.

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Bangor, Maine – A protester interrupted the final debate between Republican Sen. Susan Collins and Democratic challenger Troy Jackson in Maine, triggering a heated exchange after Collins suggested the demonstrator was a Jackson supporter.

The interruption came amid a debate that saw the candidates trade fire over numerous issues. The race between Jackson and Collins, who is seeking a sixth term representing the blue-leaning Northern New England state, is a top flip opportunity for Democrats as they try to win back the Senate majority from Republicans in the midterm elections.

The latest public opinion polls indicate a race within the margin of error between Collins and Jackson, a one-time logger and former state Senate president. The latest Fox News Power Rankings rate the race as a toss-up, as do leading nonpartisan political handicappers the Cook Political Report, Inside Elections and Sabato's Crystal Ball.

This is an excerpt of an article by Paul Steinhauser and Leo Briceno: Click here to read more