Parties Battle For Congressional Control

What happened

Updated Oct 26, 11:06am ET

Republicans and Democrats are battling for control of Congress in November’s midterm elections. The administration pursued ballot-handling litigation in California and a preemptive election challenge in Alaska. Forecasters generally see Democrats favored to win the House, while the Senate remains competitive across battleground states. The elections will decide control for the final two years of President Donald Trump’s term, with all House seats and more than 30 Senate seats on the ballot. Trump urged voters to “pretend I’m on the ballot” as he campaigned for Republican turnout. Republicans hold a narrow Senate majority, while Democrats need four net seats.

How the left told it

Left-leaning outlets framed the midterms around Trump’s pressure on voting rules, Democratic chances in Congress, and whether his presidency would be checked. TPM portrayed Trump’s challenges to voting procedures and unfavorable results as a threat to free and fair elections, even as courts frustrated him. The New York Times stressed Democratic strength in the House, Senate uncertainty, and anxiety on both sides. The Guardian emphasized Trump as the referendum driving Democratic hopes to take Congress and constrain his presidency.

How the right told it

Right-leaning outlets stressed Republican vulnerability, voter mistrust and the campaign’s harsh tone. Daily Mail warned that polling and history pointed to serious Republican midterm losses that could shift power in Washington. On governance, Washington Examiner emphasized doubts that either party would have a clear plan after winning control. Fox News highlighted an exceptionally nasty race fueled by attack ads, social media and inflammatory rhetoric. American Thinker cast Democratic opposition as ideological hostility to Trump rather than a fair reading of his record.