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Senate Race
54 stories on Senate Race. For each one: what the left says, what the right says, and what both agree on. RSS feed
- Trump's Endorsement Power on the Line in SC Senate Runoff
Aug 26, 2026
Left: Darline Graham's political inexperience is a legitimate concern, underscored by a widely-noted debate stumble in which she admitted she is 'not that informed' on national security issues like Taiwan and the South China Sea.
Right: Trump's endorsement remains a powerful force in Republican primaries, and his rally, tele-rally, and MAGA Inc. spending show he is fully invested in delivering Graham a win.
- Michigan Senate Primary Exposes Democrats' Progressive vs. Moderate Divide
Aug 5, 2026
Left: El-Sayed's narrow lead reflects genuine grassroots enthusiasm among young and progressive voters, especially in Washtenaw, Kent, and Ingham counties, showing the party's left flank can turn out votes in a major swing state.
Right: The tight, drawn-out primary exposes real dysfunction and division within the Democratic Party as it struggles to unify around a single electability strategy ahead of a critical general election.
- Jackson Replaces Platner in Maine Senate Race Amid Cousin-Relationship Scrutiny
Aug 1, 2026
Left: Jackson's landslide nomination reflects genuine grassroots enthusiasm, with over 17,000 Democrats participating in delegate selection meetings and a working-class message that resonates in rural Maine.
Right: Jackson fathered two children with his second cousin, a relationship he once described as his 'wife' though the couple never legally married, raising questions about transparency in his public biography.
- Trump Scores Revenge as GOP Senator Who Voted to Convict Loses Primary
May 17, 2026
Left: Trump's targeting of Cassidy demonstrates his authoritarian tendencies and willingness to punish Republicans who uphold constitutional principles over personal loyalty
Right: Cassidy's defeat validates the principle that elected officials must remain loyal to the voters and president who helped them win office
- Trump-Backed Sister of Lindsey Graham Enters Race, Splitting SC GOP
Jul 23, 2026
Left: Graham has no prior electoral experience and her candidacy raises questions about political dynasties and family succession to power, echoing broader concerns about nepotism in politics.
Right: Trump's full endorsement reflects confidence in her character and loyalty, and he has framed her candidacy as a fitting tribute to her brother's legacy and service to the state.
- Maine Democrat Platner Faces Abuse Allegations From Multiple Ex-Girlfriends
Jun 5, 2026
Left: The allegations represent a serious pattern of domestic abuse that should disqualify Platner from public service, regardless of his explanations about PTSD or alcohol use
Right: The timing of these allegations just before the primary raises questions about political motivation, especially given that one accuser works in Republican politics
- El-Sayed Asks Watters If He's Circumcised in Trans Care Clash
Aug 27, 2026
Left: El-Sayed frames the issue as one of medical freedom, arguing decisions about a minor's healthcare should rest with doctors, patients, and parents rather than government mandates.
Right: Watters and conservative commentators argue circumcision, a routine and medically endorsed procedure, is fundamentally different from irreversible gender-transition surgeries on minors, calling the comparison misleading.
- Trump's Pick Wins Despite Admitting She's Unprepared on Security
Aug 26, 2026
Left: Trump's ability to install a political newcomer with no prior electoral experience over a five-term congressman shows the depth of his control over the GOP base, even when polls showed the race tightening.
Right: Graham's honesty about her limited foreign policy background reflects authenticity rather than disqualifying weakness, and voters rewarded her candor over polished political rhetoric.
- GOP Reps Defy Trump's Pick to Run for Graham's Senate Seat
Jul 19, 2026
Left: Mace and Norman's decision to run despite Trump's endorsement of Graham Nordone highlights simmering tension within the GOP over whether Trump's personal loyalty tests can override ambitious politicians' own political calculations.
Right: Norman is running on a clear America First platform, pledging to eliminate the Senate filibuster and pass Trump's SAVE America Act, positioning himself as a proven conservative fighter rather than a Washington insider who folds under pressure.
- Democrats Split Over Campaigning With Controversial Streamer Hasan Piker
Apr 9, 2026
Left: Piker represents a vital bridge to young male voters who abandoned Democrats in 2024, making his platform strategically important for party outreach
Right: Piker has made explicitly anti-American statements including that America 'deserved 9/11' and has defended terrorist organizations like Hamas and Hezbollah
- Leaked Audio: Paxton Admits Abbott 'Struggling,' GOP May Lose Seats
Oct 16, 2026
Left: The leaked audio reveals Paxton privately acknowledging political weaknesses he publicly denies, suggesting a gap between his campaign messaging and his real assessment of the race.
Right: Paxton has publicly dismissed the leaks as misleading, arguing that selectively clipped remarks from a private event don't reflect his actual views or campaign strategy.
- Trump Makes Crime Central Message in Tight NC Senate Race
Sep 17, 2026
Left: Rising costs at the gas pump, grocery store, and restaurants are the dominant concern for North Carolina voters, and Whatley risks bearing the political brunt of that economic frustration even though it predates his candidacy.
Right: Roy Cooper's decision to release prisoners from jail during COVID, including violent offenders, is a legitimate and serious record for voters to scrutinize, especially given the tragic murder of Iryna Zarutska by one of those released individuals.
- 'Decoy Dan' or Real Republican? Same-Named Rival Threatens GOP Senator
Aug 26, 2026
Left: Dan J. Sullivan's ballot access was upheld by Alaska's Supreme Court after a lower-level disqualification, suggesting due process and voter choice prevailed over partisan objections.
Right: The retired teacher only recently registered as a Republican and received campaign help from a Democratic consultant, fueling legitimate suspicion he is a Democratic-aligned spoiler designed to siphon votes from the incumbent.
- GOP Senate Pick Admits 'National Security Is Not My Thing'
Aug 19, 2026
Left: Graham's admission underscores broader concerns about her lack of government or foreign policy experience, having been appointed just weeks earlier rather than elected on her own merits.
Right: Graham's willingness to admit what she doesn't know reflects honesty rather than the evasive, poll-tested answers voters often criticize politicians for giving.
- Norman Defies Trump's Endorsement, Enters SC Senate Race Anyway
Jul 19, 2026
Left: Norman's decision to defy Trump's endorsement highlights fractures within the GOP over who controls the party's direction even after a popular president weighs in.
Right: Norman frames his candidacy as being just as loyal to Trump's agenda as any Trump-endorsed candidate, pledging to be a 'laser-focused' vote for the America First platform and the SAVE America Act.
- Trump-Backed Sununu vs. Progressive-Rejected Pappas in NH Battle
Sep 9, 2026
Left: Pappas is a battle-tested moderate who has consolidated establishment support, including endorsements from Jeanne Shaheen and Kamala Harris, and has crossed party lines during his House tenure.
Right: Sununu brings decades of name recognition from a political family that has led New Hampshire government for generations, giving Republicans a rare credible shot at the seat.
- Trump-Backed Graham Faces Crowded GOP Field for Brother's Senate Seat
Aug 4, 2026
Left: Trump's endorsement of Darline Graham has not cleared the GOP field, raising questions about the limits of his influence even in a state he carried easily.
Right: Darline Graham used the debate to align herself firmly with President Trump, pledging to end the Senate filibuster if needed to pass the SAVE America Act and vowing to be '100% behind' his agenda.
- Democrats replace scandal-hit nominee with progressive logger to face Collins
Jul 25, 2026
Left: Jackson represents a genuine, unifying successor to Platner's working-class movement rather than a retreat to establishment politics, with rivals like Bellows and Shah stepping aside to consolidate around him.
Right: Democrats are again coalescing around a candidate well to the left of the general electorate, embracing policies like abolishing ICE and Medicare for All that may struggle in a swing-minded state like Maine.
- Trump Calls Muslim Senate Candidate a 'Jihadist' Over Doctor Title
Oct 26, 2026
Left: El-Sayed earned a legitimate medical degree and has worked in public health leadership, including serving as Detroit's health director, which left-leaning commentators say justifies referring to his medical background respectfully
Right: Trump and allies argue El-Sayed has not completed the licensing requirements to practice medicine, making his repeated self-description as a physician misleading to voters
- 80-Year-Old Markey Crushes Generational-Change Bid in Landslide
Sep 3, 2026
Left: Markey's landslide reflects genuine grassroots enthusiasm for his decades-long record on climate policy, including his authorship of the Green New Deal, rather than mere establishment inertia.
Right: Markey's blowout win undercuts the broader narrative of a Democratic Party eager to replace its aging leadership, showing the party's progressive base still prioritizes ideological alignment over generational change.
- Trump, Scott Defend Darline Graham's 'Not My Thing' Security Gaffe
Aug 24, 2026
Left: Graham's admission that she is 'not that informed on national security' and that it's 'not my thing' raises legitimate concerns about her readiness for a Senate seat historically defined by foreign policy expertise under her brother.
Right: Trump and Scott view Graham's admission as refreshing honesty rather than disqualifying ignorance, arguing voters value candor over rehearsed political answers.
- Trump-Backed Newcomer Admits: 'National Security Is Not My Thing'
Aug 19, 2026
Left: Graham's admission underscores concerns that Trump's endorsement, rather than qualifications or experience, is driving her candidacy for a seat historically tied to foreign policy expertise.
Right: Graham's honesty about not being a national security expert can be seen as refreshing candor rather than a disqualifying weakness, especially since she says she supports the military and trusts Trump's judgment on foreign policy matters.
- Michigan Senate Race Tightens as El-Sayed Faces Barrage of Attacks
Aug 15, 2026
Left: Mike Rogers is mischaracterizing El-Sayed's past comments on fireworks and football, distorting a nuanced position about veterans with PTSD into a claim that he wants to ban the Fourth of July and football entirely.
Right: Polling shows El-Sayed running historically weak for a Michigan Democratic Senate nominee this century, even with a strong Democratic turnout advantage baked in.
- El-Sayed's Sharia Law Comments Resurface in Senate Race
Aug 13, 2026
Left: El-Sayed's campaign frames his personal religious observance as no different from any American who privately follows the tenets of their faith, whether Christian, Jewish, or Muslim, while firmly opposing any imposition of religious law on civil governance.
Right: Voters deserve to know whether a candidate who once described lifelong religious 'obligation' to Sharia law, and whose campaign confirms he still personally follows it, would let that belief system shape his judgment in office.
- Democrats Rally Behind Nazi-Tattooed Senate Candidate Despite Scandals
Jun 15, 2026
Left: Platner is a Marine veteran with PTSD who has done the work to overcome his struggles with drinking and personal issues, representing genuine growth and redemption
Right: Democratic leaders are hypocritically embracing a candidate with a Nazi tattoo and history of inappropriate behavior toward women after years of calling Republicans fascists and Nazis
- Scandal-Plagued Democrat Platner Wins Primary Despite Abuse Allegations
Jun 11, 2026
Left: Platner represents authentic working-class values and progressive change against an entrenched Republican incumbent who has served for decades
Right: Platner has repeatedly lied about and minimized serious allegations of physical abuse and threatening behavior toward women
- Democrat Congressman Calls Party's Maine Senate Candidate 'Disqualifying'
May 27, 2026
Left: Auchincloss's criticism represents principled leadership that puts moral values above partisan politics when confronting symbols of hate
Right: Auchincloss's public criticism of his own party's candidate reveals deep divisions within the Democratic Party ahead of a crucial Senate race
- Trump-Backed Senate Bid Sparks 'Family Dynasty' Backlash Within GOP
Jul 21, 2026
Left: Trump's rapid endorsement of an untested candidate underscores his outsized influence over GOP primary politics, effectively clearing the field before other Republicans could compete.
Right: Nordone's decades of work serving South Carolinians, even outside elected office, demonstrate a genuine commitment to public service beyond simply inheriting her brother's name.
- Texas Democrat Claims State Elections Aren't 'Free and Fair'
May 28, 2026
Left: Texas election laws like SB1 create unnecessary barriers that disproportionately impact minority and low-income voters through strict ID requirements and restrictions on voting methods
Right: Talarico's claim that Texas elections aren't 'free and fair' undermines confidence in democratic institutions and echoes dangerous election denial rhetoric
- Democrats Split Over Scandal-Plagued Maine Senate Candidate Graham Platner
May 28, 2026
Left: Platner leads Collins by 9 points in recent polling, demonstrating strong voter support despite Republican attacks on his character
Right: Platner's Nazi-linked tattoo and history of mocking wounded veterans reveal serious character flaws that disqualify him from public service
- Marine Veteran Senate Candidate Won't Apologize for Mocking Purple Heart Recipient
May 25, 2026
Left: Platner's military service record of four infantry tours demonstrates his genuine respect for veterans and makes accusations of disrespecting service members unfounded
Right: Platner's refusal to apologize for saying a Purple Heart recipient 'didn't deserve to live' shows a fundamental lack of character and judgment
- Trump Asks Kentucky Senate Candidate to Drop Out for Ambassador Role
May 2, 2026
Left: Trump's intervention demonstrates his continued control over Republican primaries and ability to reshape races through personal influence rather than democratic processes
Right: Trump's strategic endorsement strengthens Republican unity by consolidating support behind the most electable candidate in a crucial Senate race
- Trump-Backed Sununu, Once His Critic, Wins NH Senate Primary
Sep 9, 2026
Left: Sununu's past criticism of Trump, including calling him a "loser" and backing Nikki Haley in 2024, raises questions about the authenticity of his current alignment with the administration, though he still sought and accepted Trump's endorsement.
Right: Sununu's decisive primary win, with nearly 70% of the vote, demonstrates strong grassroots Republican support despite his past friction with Trump.
- Democrats Distance Themselves From Platner After Sexting Scandal
Jun 1, 2026
Left: The sexting allegations represent a private marital matter that the couple addressed through counseling, not a disqualifying public scandal
Right: The sexting scandal reveals a pattern of character flaws that make Platner fundamentally unfit for the U.S. Senate
- Democratic Senate Candidate Called Purple Heart Recipient 'Didn't Deserve to Live'
May 26, 2026
Left: Platner's military service across four combat tours demonstrates his commitment to veterans and national defense, making attacks on his character particularly unfair
Right: A candidate who mocked a Purple Heart recipient and called him undeserving of life demonstrates fundamental disrespect for military service and sacrifice
- Democrat Wins Primary But Plans to Drop Out for Independent
May 14, 2026
Left: Powell's victory protects Nebraska's split electoral vote system that gives Democrats a crucial electoral college vote in presidential elections
Right: Dark money groups spent over $6 million attacking Cavanaugh because Republicans view Powell as the weaker general election candidate
- Texas Democrat Talarico Removes Radical Endorsements From Campaign Website
Mar 12, 2026
Left: Talarico is moderating his campaign messaging to appeal to Texas voters while maintaining core Democratic values on gun safety and civil rights
Right: Talarico's removal of radical endorsements reveals his attempt to hide his true far-left positions from moderate Texas voters
- Democratic Senate Nominee Talarico Sparks Faith-Based Political Divide
Mar 9, 2026
Left: Talarico represents authentic Christian values by advocating for economic justice, wealth redistribution, and challenging the conservative co-optation of Christianity
Right: Talarico's progressive theological positions, including statements about God being nonbinary and characterizing racism as a virus spread by all white Americans, represent a radical departure from traditional Christian doctrine
- 'Oh, Shut Up': Maine Senate Debate Erupts After Protester Interruption
Oct 16, 2026
Left: The protester's interruption reflects genuine public anxiety over AI data centers' environmental and water-usage impacts, an issue Jackson's campaign has highlighted as part of a broader critique of corporate influence.
Right: Jackson's angry, profanity-adjacent outburst toward a sitting senator reveals a temperament问题 that fits a broader pattern of reported hostile behavior, including his removal from a Facebook group supporting his own campaign.
- Graham Appointee Admits She's 'Not Informed' on National Security
Aug 19, 2026
Left: Graham was never elected and had no prior political experience before being appointed following her brother's sudden death, raising legitimate questions about her readiness for a Senate seat overseeing national security matters.
Right: Graham's admission that she isn't informed on national security, particularly regarding Taiwan and China, is being treated by many conservatives as disqualifying for a Senate seat with major foreign policy responsibilities.
- Biden's Former Chief of Staff Defends Democrat's Nazi Tattoo
Jun 12, 2026
Left: Klain's defense represents legitimate pushback against partisan attacks designed to weaponize a veteran's past mistakes for political gain
Right: A former Biden chief of staff defending Nazi imagery reveals how far Democrats will go to protect their candidates regardless of moral concerns
- Mills Reminds Voters She's Still on Ballot Amid Platner Sexting Scandal
Jun 2, 2026
Left: Mills represents a more experienced and electable alternative who could better compete against Susan Collins in the general election
Right: Mills' reemergence reveals Democratic Party chaos and desperation as their preferred establishment candidate tries to salvage a failing campaign
- Democratic Senate Candidate's Wife Exposed His Explicit Texts to Campaign
May 31, 2026
Left: Platner's wife voluntarily disclosed the texts during routine campaign vetting and has publicly stood by her husband after they worked through their marital issues in counseling
Right: The sexually explicit texts reveal a pattern of concerning behavior that adds to Platner's already troubling history of problematic online posts and Nazi symbolism
- Trump Endorsement Propels Paxton to 95% Odds Against Cornyn
May 25, 2026
Left: Trump's endorsement represents dangerous interference in democratic processes, using his influence to punish Republicans who showed independence and constitutional principles
Right: Paxton's strong conservative record as Attorney General and unwavering support for Trump's agenda make him the clear choice for advancing America First policies
- Talarico Challenges Paxton to Debate on Fox News Turf
Sep 25, 2026
Left: Talarico frames the challenge as a show of confidence, deliberately choosing a network friendly to conservative audiences to prove he isn't afraid of tough questioning.
Right: Paxton's campaign has indicated willingness to debate in principle, but no debate has actually been scheduled, so the challenge may be more of a political stunt than a real proposal.
- Can Trump's Endorsement Alone Elect Darline Graham to the Senate?
Aug 24, 2026
Left: Trump's rally speech spent the vast majority of its time on himself, grievances, and false or exaggerated claims rather than substantively vouching for Darline Graham's qualifications.
Right: Trump's endorsement and rally provide a significant last-minute boost to Graham's campaign in a state where he won by 18 points, testing whether his political capital can still move an election.
- Can Trump's Endorsement Alone Carry Darline Graham to a Full Term?
Aug 2, 2026
Left: Darline Graham's rapid rise from a low-profile role on the state's Commission for the Blind to a Senate campaign reflects a broader pattern of political dynasties leaning on name recognition and grief-driven sympathy rather than demonstrated policy experience.
Right: Darline Graham represents a citizen-outsider willing to answer a direct call to public service, bringing a practical, real-world perspective on issues like budgeting and health care costs rather than decades of insider politicking.
- Trump Won't Say Who He Wants to Replace Graham in Senate
Jul 12, 2026
Left: Trump's reticence highlights how much influence he holds over a compressed, roughly 30-day GOP nomination process in South Carolina, effectively giving him kingmaker status over the seat.
Right: Trump is showing deference to Graham's memory by declining to name a preferred successor so soon after his death, framing his silence as a matter of respect rather than political calculation.
- Texas Democrat Talarico Gets 50% Funding From Out-of-State Donors
Jun 14, 2026
Left: Talarico's broad fundraising appeal demonstrates his ability to build a national coalition and compete effectively against well-funded Republican opponents in Texas
Right: Talarico's reliance on coastal liberal donors contradicts his campaign messaging about fighting outside special interests and representing Texas values
- Khanna Defends Scandal-Plagued Platner: 'We Broke a Lot of People' in Iraq
Jun 8, 2026
Left: Veterans returning from Iraq and Afghanistan often suffered psychological trauma that led to destructive behaviors, requiring compassion and support rather than political condemnation
Right: The allegations against Platner include disturbing patterns of misogynistic behavior and potential violence that raise serious questions about his character and fitness for office