FOUR-MINUTE READ | UNBIASED COVERAGE OF TOP POLITICAL NEWS
Federal Level
NBC News Poll Finds 71% Say U.S. Is on Wrong Track
On Sunday, NBC News released a national poll showing broad voter dissatisfaction as the midterm elections approached. Seventy-one percent of adults said the country was on the wrong track, while President Donald Trump’s approval rating among adults stood at 34 percent. Among registered voters, Democrats led Republicans 55 percent to 45 percent on which party should control Congress. The economy ranked as the leading issue, and 44 percent said their financial situation was worse than one year earlier. The online SurveyMonkey poll surveyed 19,135 adults from September 28 through October 12 and had a 2.6-point margin of error.1
Texas Senate Poll Shows Two-Point Contest
On Sunday, a CBS News and YouGov poll placed Democrat James Talarico slightly ahead of Republican Ken Paxton in the Texas Senate race. Talarico received 51 percent support and Paxton received 49 percent, a difference within the survey’s margin of error. CBS reported that economic concerns helped Talarico, while Paxton benefited from Texas’s Republican lean and support for the Trump administration’s deportation program. The survey included 1,492 registered voters interviewed from October 8 through October 16. Its margin of error was 3.4 points for registered voters and 3.5 points for likely voters, leaving turnout central to the contest.2
Energy Secretary Defends Trump’s Russia Waiver
On Sunday, Energy Secretary Chris Wright defended President Donald Trump’s temporary sanctions relief for Russian diesel and the administration’s broader waiver of new Russia sanctions. Wright told ABC’s “This Week” that the diesel arrangement was intended as an incentive for Moscow to reduce its war effort or reach an agreement with Ukraine. He said existing sanctions on Russian oil remained in place. On CNN, Wright said the broader waiver preserved Trump’s flexibility during discussions involving China, trade and the conflict. The secretary also rejected criticism from lawmakers who argue that the diesel policy could provide money that supports Russia’s military operations.3
Jeffries Campaigns in Crucial Ohio House Race
On Sunday, House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries campaigned in Toledo with Representative Marcy Kaptur as Democrats sought control of the House. Kaptur is facing Republican Derek Merrin in a district President Donald Trump has carried, making the race important to both parties. Jeffries said the election environment remained favorable for Democrats and emphasized affordability as a campaign issue. He also said House members would pursue a new bipartisan Russia sanctions package that the president could not waive. Speaker Mike Johnson said separately that lawmakers had raised concerns about Trump’s sanctions waiver and that he wanted to consider possible unintended consequences.4
Turek Campaigns With Harkin in Iowa Push
On Sunday, Democratic Senate candidate Josh Turek campaigned with former Senator Tom Harkin in Ottumwa as their party pressed its final Iowa turnout effort. The two rallied Wapello County Democrats before joining a door-knocking drive. Turek said President Donald Trump had identified voter concern about costs but argued that Republican policies had not delivered lower prices. Harkin said voters were seeking a different form of representation and praised Turek’s work ethic. Turek, a state representative, faces Republican Representative Ashley Hinson. Hinson campaign spokesperson Billy Fuerst responded that Turek was too liberal for Iowa and criticized his record in the state legislature.5
State Level
Massachusetts Nominee Leaves Lieutenant Governor Race
On Sunday, Massachusetts Republican lieutenant governor nominee Shawn Oliver suspended his campaign after his arrest following a late Saturday car crash. Oliver said the election should not be overshadowed by personal matters. His running mate, gubernatorial nominee Mike Minogue, had asked him to stop campaigning and said he would seek Oliver’s resignation if their ticket wins. New Bedford police said Oliver’s vehicle struck five parked cars and overturned. Authorities charged him with operating under the influence of liquor, negligent operation, speeding and a marked-lanes violation. The Massachusetts Republican Party supported his decision, while Oliver’s name remained set to appear on the ballot.6, 7
Poll Gives Abbott Four-Point Lead in Texas
On Sunday, a CBS News and YouGov poll showed Republican Governor Greg Abbott leading Democratic state Representative Gina Hinojosa in Texas. Abbott received 52 percent support, while Hinojosa received 48 percent. The four-point difference was slightly larger than the poll’s 3.4-point margin of error for registered voters. CBS said Abbott also drew support from 7 percent of voters backing Democratic Senate candidate James Talarico. The survey interviewed 1,492 registered voters from October 8 through October 16 and weighted the sample using demographic information and the 2024 presidential vote. Abbott is seeking a fourth term, and voting concludes November 3.2
Michigan Democrats Rally With Union Workers
On Sunday, Michigan Democratic nominees rallied with union workers in Detroit as the party expanded its turnout campaign. Gubernatorial nominee Jocelyn Benson and Senate nominee Abdul El-Sayed headlined the event at a carpenters and millwrights training center. Benson pledged to make workers central to her economic plans and said she would focus on creating jobs and reducing costs. El-Sayed said he would support organizing across industries. Other speakers included Detroit Mayor Mary Sheffield and nominees for attorney general, secretary of state and Congress. Michigan Public reported that 679,316 people, or 9.2 percent of registered voters, had cast ballots by Sunday.8, 9
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Article Sources
1. NBC News, “Poll: Americans are anxious, pessimistic and deeply unhappy with Trump ahead of the midterms,” Oct. 18, 2026.
2. CBS News, “CBS News poll shows a Texas toss-up with Talarico, Paxton in tight Senate race,” Oct. 18, 2026.
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/texas-senate-talarico-paxton-poll/
3. Politico, “Wright defends Trump’s Russian diesel deal as ‘carrot’ for peace,” Oct. 18, 2026.
https://www.politico.com/news/2026/10/18/wright-defends-trump-russia-diesel-deal-01125781
4. ABC News, “Jeffries likes Democrats’ chances in race for the House as he campaigns in Ohio,” Oct. 18, 2026.
5. Iowa Capital Dispatch, “Turek campaigns with former U.S. Sen. Tom Harkin in final stretch before election,” Oct. 18, 2026.
6. Associated Press, “Massachusetts GOP lieutenant governor candidate suspends campaign after arrest in car crash,” Oct. 18, 2026.
https://apnews.com/article/oliver-crash-alcohol-arrest-minogue-f470b43e825dce1cb1ab73b65f8f8102
7. Boston.com, “Lt. governor candidate Shawn Oliver suspends campaign after being arrested for allegedly drunk driving,” Oct. 18, 2026.
8. Michigan Public, “Party leaders focus on getting Michiganders to vote in the final weeks of the Midterm election,” Oct. 18, 2026.
9. Michigan Advance, “Michigan Democrats rally for union support as 2026 get-out-the-vote effort begins,” Oct. 18, 2026.