SPECIAL MIDTERM ELECTION EDITION
Federal Level
Trump Says Iran War Hurt Republicans in Midterms
On Wednesday, President Trump said Vice President JD Vance’s view that the war in Iran caused Republican losses in the midterms was “largely true,” but he said he would make the same decision again. “I think it’s largely true because it drove the gasoline up a little bit, short term,” Trump told reporters at the White House. He added, “You can’t let Iran have a nuclear weapon.” Trump also said Republicans would have won if he had been on the ballot. According to the Associated Press, he struck a conciliatory tone about working with Democrats but later threatened to use his veto power against their agenda.1, 2
Jeffries Formally Launches His Bid for House Speaker
On Wednesday, House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries sent a letter to his colleagues formally asking for their support to become the next speaker of the House. “America is back!” the letter opened. Jeffries wrote that he wants members to act decisively in three areas: affordability, accountability and American values. He also cited his caucus’s opposition to what he called the “reckless and costly war of choice in Iran.” House Democrats will hold closed-door leadership elections on Nov. 18, and Jeffries needs a simple majority of the caucus to win the nomination. He would then need 218 floor votes in January to receive the gavel.2, 1
Johnson Steps Aside as Scalise and Jordan Seek Post
Speaker Mike Johnson told staffers on Wednesday morning that he will not run for House minority leader, according to sources cited by CBS News. Later that day, Rep. Steve Scalise and Rep. Jim Jordan each sent letters to colleagues seeking to lead House Republicans in the new minority. Scalise wrote that the election was “far worse than any of us expected” and said Republicans need to be honest about what happened. Jordan called Tuesday a “staggering day” and said Republicans “must learn” from the results. The current House whip, Tom Emmer of Minnesota, is also facing a challenge from Texas Rep. August Pfluger.1, 3
Schumer Vows Investigations if Trump Defies the Law
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer said on Wednesday that the incoming Democratic majority will hold President Trump accountable. “Whenever Trump defies the will of the American people or the law, we will launch investigations, take him to court, and entangle him in legislative razor wire,” Schumer said. He called Tuesday’s results a “generational remake of the Senate map” and said voters had given Democrats the chance to prove themselves worthy of their trust. Senate Republican Whip John Barrasso responded on social media that he is “here for the fight.” Barrasso said Republicans would focus on affordability and lowering prices for American families.3
Mississippi and Alaska Senate Races Remain Uncalled
The Senate races in Mississippi and Alaska remained unresolved on Wednesday, with CBS News rating both contests as toss-ups. In Mississippi, Democrat Scott Colom led Republican Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith by just several dozen votes as of Wednesday morning. Colom told reporters, “We are going to win this,” and his campaign estimated that 15,000 affidavit ballots still need to be counted. Mississippi has not elected a Democrat to the Senate since 1982. In Alaska, Republican Sen. Dan Sullivan and Democrat Mary Peltola remain locked in a tight contest. Barrasso said on Wednesday that Republicans “continue to fight” in both states.3
State Level
Aaron Ford Defeats Gov. Lombardo in Nevada Race
The Associated Press declared Democrat Aaron D. Ford the winner of the Nevada governor’s race at 9:46 a.m. on Wednesday, defeating Republican Gov. Lombardo, the incumbent. With an estimated 87% of votes counted, Ford had 51.5% of the vote to Lombardo’s 44.3%. The AP had listed Nevada among the key governorships that Republicans needed to hold. Earlier on Wednesday, the AP also declared Democrat Susie Lee the winner of a fifth term in Nevada’s 3rd Congressional District, the state’s most competitive House seat. Lee defeated Republican Marty O’Donnell, a retired composer who had been endorsed by President Trump in the primary.4, 1
DeSantis Calls Republican Losses a Meteor Strike
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis said on Wednesday that Tuesday’s results were “the political equivalent of a meteor strike” for Republicans across the country. Speaking in Florida, DeSantis said that calling the outcome a wave would not be fully accurate. “This is close to an extinction-level event for Republicans in many parts of the country,” he said. DeSantis praised Florida as the one state that held the line, although victory margins in many Florida races were closer than in past years. In the governor’s race, Republican Byron Donalds led Democrat Jolly 50.0% to 48.7% with 99% of votes counted, according to the AP.2, 4
Kansas Governor Race Still Too Close to Call
Kansas voters still did not know who their next governor would be as of late Wednesday night. With an estimated 99% of votes counted, Democrat Holscher led Republican Masterson 50.3% to 49.7%, according to Associated Press results updated just after midnight. The AP listed Kansas among the key governorships that Democrats needed to hold, and it was one of only two governor’s races nationwide still waiting to be called. The tight contest comes after Kansas voters elected Democrat Adam Hamilton to the U.S. Senate over Sen. Roger Marshall, the first time in nearly a century that the state has chosen a Democratic senator.4, 3
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Article Sources
1. Associated Press, “Midterm elections live updates: Trump defends Iran war after voters give Democrats control of Congress,” Nov. 4, 2026.
https://apnews.com/live/midterm-election-2026?tab=000001a1-60ab-dab1-a9f9-fbfb3f140000
2. ABC7 Los Angeles (ABC News), “Midterm election 2026 live results: Jeffries officially launches bid to be speaker of the House,” Nov. 4, 2026.
https://abc7.com/live-updates/midterm-elections-2026-live-updates-election-results-key-races-us/20001292/
3. CBS News, “Democrats win Senate control: live updates,” Nov. 4, 2026.
https://www.cbsnews.com/live-updates/senate-election-results-2026/
4. Associated Press, “2026 Governor Election Results,” Nov. 5, 2026.
https://apnews.com/projects/elections-2026/governor-results/