With 19 days until midterms, Trump rallies GOP as Democrats outline first 100 days

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 rates the race as a toss-up, as do leading nonpartisan political handicappers the Cook Political Report, Inside Elections, and Sabato's Crystal Ball.

The protester, who interrupted Collins as she spoke, yelled out, "I'm terrified. AI data centers are destroying our climate. They are poisoning our water."

As security escorted the protester out of the debate hall, Collins suggested the man was a Jackson supporter.

"So this is obviously one of Troy's supporters," Collins said.

This is an excerpt of an article by Fox News Digital's Paul Steinhauser and Leo Briceno.

Republican Sen. Susan Collins and Democratic challenger Troy Jackson faced off Thursday night in Bangor, Maine, debating campaign financing, the Iran war, immigration enforcement, gun restrictions and the Supreme Court.

The candidates sparred over political donations, with Collins questioning Jackson's fundraising pledges and Jackson defending his campaign's practices.

On Supreme Court reform, Jackson expressed support for term limits and openness to expanding the court, while Collins opposed adding justices.

"But it's inconsistent with the whole idea of the Supreme Court being insulated from politics," Collins said.

Jackson, meanwhile, criticized the court's ethics and called for changes.

"We have the best court the money can buy right now, and I think that has to be turned over," Jackson said

A leading Republican Senate campaign group took aim at Alaska Democratic Senate candidate Mary Peltola on Thursday ahead of a scheduled debate, accusing her of misconduct and criticizing her political record.

"We kindly ask that Mary Peltola refrain from further physical violence and derogatory language tonight and stick to the issues that matter to Alaskans, like her record of selling out the Last Frontier to Washington lobbyists and California liberals," the Senate Leadership Fund wrote in a statement.

Peltola was accused in a September New York Times report of subjecting former staffers to angry outbursts, homophobic slurs and physical abuse.

The statement comes as Republicans seek to defend their Senate majority in November, with Alaska among the states drawing national attention in the battle for control of the chamber.

A protester interrupted Thursday night's Senate debate between Republican Sen. Susan Collins and Democratic challenger Troy Jackson in Bangor, Maine, prompting a brief exchange between the candidates.

The disruption occurred as Collins was speaking, with an audience member raising concerns about the environmental impact of data centers.

Moderator Jennifer Rooks acknowledged the interruption and said security would handle the situation.

Collins then suggested the protester was a Jackson supporter.

"So this is obviously one of Troy's supporters," she said.

Jackson pushed back, denying that he knew the individual.

"Oh, shut up, I don't even know who that kid [is]."

The Justice Department, working alongside the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), filed a complaint against California on Thursday after determining that more than 20,000 likely noncitizens are registered to vote in the state.

DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin said Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), along with federal partners, reviewed publicly available California voter-registration files and compared relevant records with federal immigration data to identify noncitizen registrants.

The DOJ filed a complaint against California alleging the suspected noncitizens registered to vote or voted in a federal election. Officials said HSI and federal partners used multiple methods to verify their immigration status.

First assistant U.S. attorney Bill Essayli for the Central District of California said election officials were given an opportunity to remove noncitizens from their voter rolls and to sequester ballots returned from suspected ineligible voters, but “they refused.”

“We are taking California to federal court to demand that the votes of American citizens not be diluted by noncitizens,” Essayli said.

If found responsible in a court of law, Attorney General Todd Blanche said California “will have seriously undermined confidence in our electoral system and violated laws that protect our nation’s representative system of government.”

President Donald Trump voiced support for South Carolina Sen. Darline Graham during a Thursday evening tele-rally for her re-election campaign, reflecting on the death of Sen. Lindsey Graham and his decision to encourage her to enter the race.

"Lindsey passed away very suddenly and unexpectedly, and everybody was devastated, especially Darline and myself," Trump said.

During the campaign call, Trump recalled the late senator's admiration for Darline, describing the respect Lindsey had for her and their close relationship.

The president also praised Darline's work on behalf of South Carolina, describing her as a respected figure who is delivering results for the state.

Trump's remarks came as Republicans seek to maintain control of the Senate in the Nov. 3 midterm elections.

Republican Sen. Susan Collins' campaign bus arrived outside the Gracie Theatre in Bangor, Maine, on Thursday ahead of her debate against Democratic challenger Troy Jackson.

The debate comes less than three weeks before the Nov. 3 midterm elections, as Collins seeks another term in the U.S. Senate.

The Maine Senate race is among the closely watched contests as Republicans fight to maintain control of the chamber.

Vice President JD Vance took aim at Michigan Democratic congressional candidate William Lawrence during a Thursday midterm rally in Monroe, accusing him of supporting immigration policies that would benefit drug cartels.

Vance criticized Lawrence, who is running in Michigan's 7th Congressional District, over statements he attributed to the Democrat about the nuclear family, American culture and open migration.

"And he has called for a world of free and open migration, which, as we know, is little more than a blank check to the cartels," he said.

The vice president also accused Lawrence of opposing traditional American values, arguing that Republicans must defend the country's way of life.

"We know it, we love it, and we're never going to allow the left to destroy it," Vance said.

Lawrence faces incumbent Rep. Tom Barrett, a first-term Republican congressman and Army veteran who was elected to the seat in 2024.

Vice President JD Vance took aim at Michigan Democratic Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed during a Thursday rally in Monroe, accusing him of misrepresenting his background and prioritizing foreign conflicts over Michigan voters.

Vance claimed El-Sayed, who was born in Michigan, had falsely portrayed himself as an Egyptian dual citizen and questioned his commitment to the state.

"He's ten times more interested in what's happening in Palestine than in Port Huron. He's way more interested in what's happening in Gaza than he is in what's happening in Grand Rapids," he said.

The vice president later delivered a personal attack on El-Sayed while urging voters to support Republican Senate candidate Mike Rogers.

"You deserve better than a little weasel who should shut his mouth and show a little gratitude to the country that gave him everything," he added.

Vance then praised Rogers' military service, arguing that Michigan voters deserve a senator committed to serving the country.

Michigan Democratic Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed took aim at President Donald Trump during a Thursday campaign event alongside Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., calling the president a con man and mocking the size of his hands.

Speaking at his "Shouldn't Be This Hard" tour stop in Iron Mountain, Michigan, El-Sayed criticized Trump's wealth and character.

"He's a New York billionaire who has never cared about people in his life. And on top of that ... he has very small hands," he said.

El-Sayed also referred to Trump as a punk during his remarks.

The comments came hours after Trump accused El-Sayed of having ties to the Muslim Brotherhood, an allegation the Democrat has repeatedly denied, while urging voters to support Republican Senate candidate Mike Rogers.

Michigan Democratic Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed pushed back Thursday against President Donald Trump's references to his middle name, Mohamed, accusing Republicans of focusing on his name and religion to distract voters from other issues.

Speaking at a campaign town hall alongside Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., in Iron Mountain, Michigan, El-Sayed discussed the meanings of his first and middle names before predicting he would win the November election.

"The reason they keep pointing out my name and my faith is because they think they can distract you from the issues in your life," he said.

El-Sayed went on to argue that his name has nothing to do with voters' struggles to afford gas, groceries or healthcare, accusing Republicans of using his identity to divert attention from their policies.

He also suggested that attacks on his name reflected doubts about Michigan voters rather than his own ability to win the race.

Trump earlier Thursday accused El-Sayed of having ties to the Muslim Brotherhood, an allegation the Democrat has denied, while urging Michigan voters to support Republican Senate candidate Mike Rogers.

Sen. Tim Scott, R-S.C., chairman of the National Republican Senatorial Committee, identified Maine, Iowa, Alaska and Ohio as four critical states in Republicans' fight to retain control of the Senate in November.

Speaking on "America Reports" Thursday, Scott expressed confidence in the GOP's prospects in those races.

"The momentum, frankly, is with us, not against us. I'm really excited about that," he said.

Scott also pointed to New Hampshire, Michigan and Minnesota as potential pickup opportunities, highlighting Republican Michele Tafoya's campaign in Minnesota.

"I think we close that gap. And if there's an October surprise, Minnesota goes Republican," Scott added.

Scott also defended President Donald Trump's economic agenda amid voter concerns about the cost of living, arguing that the president's policies are on the ballot in November.

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani said Thursday that he plans to join Democratic Gov. Kathy Hochul on the campaign trail in the coming weeks as she seeks re-election against Republican Bruce Blakeman.

Mamdani, who recently released a campaign video supporting Hochul, said he wanted to highlight the governor's record while drawing a contrast with her Republican challenger.

"So I was excited to put together a video for the governor to make the case as to not only what her vision is and what her record has been on delivering for this city, but also the lack of a vision when it comes from her opponent, Bruce Blakeman, beyond that of trying to make working class New Yorkers lives even harder than they already are," he said.

Mamdani also confirmed that he expects to campaign alongside Hochul before the Nov. 3 election.

"And I'm looking forward to being out there with her on the trail, in the weeks to come. We know that Election Day is coming up soon, and I'm also excited about the campaign that she's been putting together," the mayor added.

Democrats are highlighting a surge in small-dollar donations with less than three weeks remaining before the Nov. 3 midterm elections.

The Democratic National Committee raised $10.25 million from small-dollar donors in September, exceeding its fundraising totals for the same month during the previous three midterm election cycles, according to The Associated Press.

The DNC also reported that roughly one in five contributors were first-time donors, pointing to an influx of new supporters as the party seeks to regain control of Congress.

Despite the increase, Democrats continue to face a fundraising disadvantage against Republicans, while the DNC has carried debt during the election cycle.

The September figures reflect only small-dollar contributions, with additional fundraising disclosures expected later this month.

The Associated Press contributed to this post.

Government corruption is among voters' leading concerns heading into the Nov. 3 midterm elections, according to a new Fox News poll.

The survey found that 60% of registered voters are extremely concerned about government corruption, while inflation, gas prices, government leadership and healthcare also rank among voters' top concerns.

Fox News correspondent Christina Coleman highlighted the findings on "Fox News @ Night" as President Donald Trump campaigned for Republican candidates in Arizona and Montana on Wednesday.

The poll also identified border security, immigration, crime and the war in Iran as concerns for voters ahead of Election Day.

Trump used his campaign stops to defend his administration's record on border security and the economy while warning that Democrats would reverse his policies if they regain power in Congress.

President Donald Trump accused Michigan Democratic Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed of having ties to the Muslim Brotherhood on Thursday, while throwing his support behind Republican Mike Rogers in the state's Senate race.

"He's a Muslim Brotherhood guy, 100%, 100%," Trump said in the Rose Garden of the White House during an event for first responders. "How about having him be on the Senate Intelligence Committee? How about that?"

El-Sayed has repeatedly denied having ties to the Muslim Brotherhood, telling “NBC Nightly News” in an interview that aired Wednesday, "I have no ties, we have no ties."

During the interview, El-Sayed pushed back on questions about social media posts from his half-sister alleging their mother had been involved with the Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt during the 1970s. El-Sayed said he had not discussed the alleged involvement with his mother and questioned the relevance of the decades-old claims.

His campaign has previously accused Republican Mike Rogers of making politically motivated attacks on his faith and family.

Trump also questioned El-Sayed's patriotism, saying, "I don't think this guy likes our country at all," before adding, "He hates our country. So I hope that he is defeated."

The president praised Rogers as "a good man" who "loves our country" and urged his supporters to help secure a Republican victory in Michigan.

"We've got to make sure that Mike Rogers wins," Trump said.

Fox News Digital’s Joseph A. Wulfsohn contributed to this report

The U.S. Postal Service is preparing to ensure millions of mail-in ballots reach election officials in time for the Nov. 3 midterm elections, with the agency's top official declaring Thursday that it is "absolutely ready" for the task.

"Everybody is engaged and absolutely ready for the next two weeks," Postmaster General David Steiner told reporters Thursday.

Beginning Oct. 24, USPS said it will take "extraordinary measures," implementing additional measures to speed up ballot deliveries, including extended hours at some postal locations, special pickups and expedited handling. The agency will also bypass normal processing procedures when necessary to get ballots to election offices on time.

The Postal Service is urging voters to mail completed ballots at least one week before their local deadlines.

The preparations come after the Supreme Court last month blocked USPS from enforcing new mail-ballot requirements stemming from a March executive order by President Donald Trump.

USPS handled 99.2 million ballots sent to and from voters during the 2024 presidential election, according to the agency.

Reuters contributed to this report.

Texas state Rep. James Talarico, the Democratic candidate running for U.S. Senate against GOP Lone Star State Attorney General Ken Paxton, has announced a $64 million dollar third-quarter campaign fundraising haul.

"Today, State Representative James Talarico announced his campaign raised $64 million in the third quarter of 2026 — the largest amount a U.S. Senate candidate has ever raised in the third quarter of an election," the Talarico campaign noted in a press release provided to Fox News Digital on Thursday. "Since launching in September 2025, Team Talarico has now raised over $134.3 million, receiving more than 3 million donations from a staggering 1.3 million+ individual contributors."

"97% of contributions to the campaign were $100 or less," the campaign noted.

“Grassroots contributors from across Texas are coming together to end billionaire control over our politics and bring down costs for working families,” Talarico said. “Thanks to the support of everyday Texans, this people-powered movement is going to change this broken, corrupt political system.”

Paxton's campaign did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital's comment requests on Thursday.

In a post on X last week Paxton noted, "We raised $18 MILLION in the third quarter, and it's because hardworking Texans are all in on this fight."

Elon Musk contributed $10 million to a political action committee supporting Republican Senate candidate Ken Paxton in Texas, Fox News has confirmed.

A representative for Musk's America PAC confirmed to Fox News national correspondent Brooke Taylor that the billionaire contributed $276 million to Republican super PACs and organizations over the past three months, including $10 million to Lone Star Liberty PAC, a group backing Paxton's Senate bid.

The confirmation corroborates figures first reported by The New York Times and offers a new look at Musk's financial involvement in Republican politics ahead of the 2026 midterm elections.

President Donald Trump delivered "a little breaking news" to supporters at a midterm campaign rally in Montana on Wednesday, announcing that the Pentagon would establish a new military "super range" in the state to test cutting-edge weapons and warfare technology.

The president said the range would support testing of potential autonomous weapons, space and electronic warfare technology, and supersonic and hypersonic systems, positioning Montana to play a greater role in the development of America's next-generation military capabilities.

"I'm pleased to inform you and announce that right here in Montana, the Department of War is going to establish a new super range for testing advanced weapons and technologies," Trump told supporters gathered at Majestic Valley Arena in Kalispell.

Click here to read more

The "No Kings" coalition is aiming to mobilize voters this Saturday and drive early voting during America's midterm election season.

"We set No Kings for October because we believed Trump when he signaled again and again and again that he intended to sabotage the election," Ezra Levin, co-founder and co-executive director of the left-wing group Indivisible told USA TODAY. "How do you prevent the sabotage of an election using the tools available to you? Well, you vote like hell.

"It's all been driving towards ultimately an electoral showdown because that is the appropriate way to prevent an authoritarian from consolidating control," he said, according to the outlet. "It is using your democratic rights. And in a democratic republic, that means exercising the right to vote. And when your election is under threat, that means exercising your right to vote early in case there are any problems that might come up naturally or because this regime is attacking the right to vote."

The White House asserted that Trump has accomplished more to secure the nation's elections than any president.

A White House spokesperson quipped that "No Kings" should adopt a different name.

"The fact that the ‘No Kings’ organizers are talking about voting in the upcoming election proves they should change their name. This November, Americans have a clear choice between President Trump and Republicans' commonsense policies or the extreme Democrats' radical socialist, open-border policies,” White House spokeswoman Lauren Bis said in a statement provided to Fox News Digital.

No Kings and Indivisible did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital with further comment.

An email that appeared to be an automatic response from "No Kings" discussed the coalition's effort to drive early voting.

"No Kings: Vote Early, scheduled for October 17, is the critical next step in our strategy: this is an urgent, massive day of voter participation and election protection. We’re going to turn people power into voter power while also building a network of election defenders. October 17 is a celebration, an orientation, and an activation—all designed to drive mass early vote participation and build the nationwide capacity we’ll need to ensure the countless efforts to undermine our elections are met with the overwhelming nonviolent people power needed to defeat them," the email noted.

Over 180,000 Georgians cast their ballots on the first day of early voting on Tuesday, setting a record for midterm elections.

Tuesday's total eclipsed the first day of early voting in 2022 by more than 55,000 votes, state election officials say. Georgia's early voting schedule runs through Oct. 30.

"This record-breaking turnout proves that voters have confidence in the integrity of our elections," Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger said in a statement. "It’s a testament to our strong election system overseen by 159 of the best county election officials in the country."

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Registered voters who identify as Democrats place more importance on voting in the November midterms than Republicans, an AP-NORC poll found, though strong majorities on both sides of the political aisle felt that casting their ballot is a matter of high importance.

65% of registered voters rated voting in the midterms as "extremely" important, while 21% rated it as "very" important, according to the Associated Press.

The outlet poll found that 76% of Democrats thought voting in the election is "extremely" important versus 63% of Republicans, while 15% of Democrats rated it as "very" important compared to 27% of Republicans.

The poll carried out from Oct. 8-12 included 1,119 adults and 925 registered voters and had a margin of error of plus or minus 4.2 percentage points for registered voters and plus or minus 3.9 percentage points for the larger pool of adults, according to the AP.

Texas’ Democratic Senate candidate James Talarico dismissed his past comments referring to God as "nonbinary" and using the Bible to justify his pro-choice stance on abortion during a Wednesday night CNN town hall.

Participating in a "Jubilee"-style town hall in which voters confronted him one-on-one, Talarico met with a fellow Christian from Texas who pressed him on his past statements.

"You've said some concerning things in the past kind of related to faith and social issues. Things such as God is nonbinary, questions about how many genders there really are and your justifications using the Bible for abortion," Sarah Gardner, a small business owner, said to Talarico.

"And so, I think that's led a lot of Christian voters to question the authenticity of your faith. And I wanted to ask you a very direct question. Do you believe that the Bible is the absolute source of truth and God's final authoritative word, even when our culture says otherwise?" she asked.

"Yes," Talarico replied. "And I think it's important to remember that even the early church, the disciples who actually knew Jesus of Nazareth, the early church, we often talk about as a singular body when, in reality, was more like early churches because there was a lot of disagreement, there was a lot of debate."

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Former Vice President Kamala Harris, who lost the 2024 White House contest to then-former President Donald Trump, noted that she has not decided whether to run for president again.

"I haven't decided. I haven't decided yet," Harris told Keke Palmer when asked about the prospect of a presidential run.

"But the midterms, the midterms, the midterms," Harris added, saying 2028 will not "matter if we don't do '26 right."

President Donald Trump issued a Truth Social post early Thursday urging people to vote for Sen. Jon Husted, R-Ohio, as the lawmaker faces former Sen. Sherrod Brown in the Buckeye State's special U.S. Senate election.

"Jon Husted, who is running for the Senate in the Great State of Ohio, is an ALL AMERICAN FOOTBALL PLAYER! He played Safety and, in one season, had 17 Interceptions, a record. As everyone knows, he has, and always will have, my Complete and Total Endorsement! Jon is one of the Greatest Players in the History of the State of Ohio, and he will make a fabulous Senator, beating a guy, Sherrod Brown, who got thrown out by the people three years ago. He was beaten by a now fantastic Senator, Bernie Moreno," the president declared in the 2:00 am ET post.

"GET OUT AND VOTE FOR JON HUSTED! He will make Ohio proud, just like he made Jon Gruden and his teammates proud, in helping Dayton win so many Football games, some of which, they said, were unwinnable — Except for Jon Husted’s brilliant playing. In Politics, he will be even better than he was at Football. AGAIN, JON HUSTED HAS MY COMPLETE AND TOTAL ENDORSEMENT — HE WILL NEVER LET YOU DOWN!" Trump added.

Meanwhile, former President Barack Obama is backing Brown in the race.

"I’m coming for you, Ohio! Join me in Cleveland on October 24 for a rally to support @AmyActonOH, @SherrodBrown, and Democrats up and down the ballot," Obama declared earlier this week in a post on X.

When voters rate the economy and the president negatively just weeks before Election Day, the incumbent party is vulnerable, and that’s certainly the case in the latest Fox News survey.

The economic landscape is stark. Six in 10 voters say the cost of living is their top economic worry, overshadowing government spending (15%), jobs and income inequality (7% each), tariffs (6%) and taxes (5%). 

Majorities rate the economy negatively (74%) and expect it to worsen next year (53%), while two-thirds are dissatisfied with how things are going in the country (66%). Few, 18%, say their family is better off compared to two years ago. Independents say they’re worse off (52%) and think the economy will get worse (70%).

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The political strategists I have known in my career are among the smartest, most interesting, most knowledgeable and most impressive people I have ever met.

They are also capable of more white-hot animus for other people than anyone I have ever met.

And I am not talking about Democrats hating Republicans, or vice versa. That is frequently a manageable relationship. Sometimes they even share a corporate client.

The disgust to which I refer is intraparty. That is when the hatred becomes unmatched by all other human relationships.

Click here to read more from Mark Halperin's opinion piece

Tensions flared on the debate stage Wednesday night, where Rep. Mike Lawler, R-N.Y., faced off against Democrat military veteran Cait Conley to represent their suburban New York district in Congress.

Lawler is vying for a third term representing the Empire State's 17th Congressional District.

One of the few swing seats left in Congress, the race could prove decisive for which party controls the House of Representatives for the latter half of President Donald Trump's term.

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Texas Senate candidate James Talarico, a Democrat, said that the Bible does not take a position on abortion during a CNN town hall on Wednesday before a voter pushed back on his claim.

Talarico told voter Jody Hunt, a self-described "one-issue voter," that his support for abortion rights was compatible with her Christian values because "the Bible is silent on the issue of abortion."

But Hunt disagreed with Talarico's characterization of the text.

"I just want to add that the Bible is not silent on abortion. There is the 10 Commandments: 'Thou shall not kill,'" Hunt replied.

"And as Catholics, we take great insult, I guess sometimes, when it’s described that way," she continued.

President Donald Trump brought a blunt warning to Arizona voters Wednesday, declaring Democrats would "destroy our country" as he blasted their State of the Union conduct and urged supporters to turn the state red from top to bottom.

With Election Day less than three weeks away, Trump rallied behind Rep. Andy Biggs, the Republican gubernatorial nominee, and a slate of GOP candidates during a campaign stop in Bullhead City, taking aim at Democrat Gov. Katie Hobbs and calling for a victory in honor of Charlie Kirk.

"On election night, Arizona is going to prove that America does not belong to those who hate it," Trump said. "America belongs to those who love, love, love, love — love it."

Biggs joined Trump onstage and pointed back to the president’s February State of the Union address to Congress, accusing Democrats of refusing to stand when Trump challenged lawmakers about their commitment to Americans.

"Vote Republican top to bottom," Biggs told the crowd. "Let’s turn Arizona red."

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Rep. Mike Lawler, R-N.Y., faced off against Democrat opponent Cait Conley Wednesday night in a one-hour debate filled with interruptions and fiery accusations less than three weeks before Election Day.

Lawler is vying for a third term representing New York's 17th Congressional District, a politically moderate area in the New York City suburbs that could decide the fate of who controls the House of Representatives for the final years of President Donald Trump's term.

Lawler called out Conley for misrepresenting his voting record, Trump's One Big Beautiful Bill Act and her own stance on immigration enforcement. Conley, meanwhile, tried to paint Lawler as a Trump acolyte who put the needs of Washington Republicans ahead of the people of his district.

Their most heated clashes came on the immigration front, when the moderator referenced the recent shooting of an illegal immigrant by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents last week in New York City while the man's 5-year-old child was in the car.

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Early voting is expanding across the country as Election Day approaches, with North Carolina scheduled to begin in-person early voting Thursday.

The state is expected to be closely watched in several congressional and statewide races, and its early-voting period will run through Oct. 31.

Election officials and national groups representing secretaries of state and election directors are also condemning threats against election offices after several facilities received envelopes containing white powder.

Authorities said no harmful substances were immediately identified in the latest incidents, but the threats have renewed concerns about election-worker safety less than three weeks before Election Day.

House Democrats are preparing a sweeping 100-day agenda in the event that they regain control of the chamber in next month’s elections.

The party’s priorities include lowering the cost of groceries, gas and health care, restoring expanded Affordable Care Act tax credits, reversing Republican Medicaid cuts and seeking votes to end the Trump administration’s tariff policies.

Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries has also tasked lawmakers with preparing investigations into President Donald Trump, his family and his administration.

Republicans currently hold a narrow House majority, making control of the chamber one of the central contests of the 2026 midterms.

President Donald Trump is continuing his campaign blitz for Republican candidates with the midterm elections now just 19 days away.

Trump rallied voters in Arizona and Montana on Wednesday, backing candidates in key races while emphasizing Republican priorities including gun rights, national security and the economy.

In Montana, Trump announced that the Pentagon would establish a new “super range” in the state to test advanced weapons and military technologies.

The president also repeated disputed claims about the 2022 Arizona election and warned voters that Republicans’ control of Congress is at stake in November.