SPECIAL MIDTERM ELECTION REPORT
Federal Level
Van Hollen Launches Challenge to Schumer for Leader
On Thursday, Sen. Chris Van Hollen of Maryland announced a run for Senate majority leader, becoming the first to challenge Sen. Chuck Schumer of New York. “It’s now on us to meet this moment, and to do that we need new leadership,” Van Hollen said. He told MS NOW on Thursday night that more than 10 senators have pledged their support. Schumer responded on X that he has the votes to remain leader, pointing to “55 seats and counting.” Sen. Bernie Sanders and Sen.-elect Abdul El-Sayed endorsed Van Hollen, while Sen. Angus King backed Schumer. Democrats will vote by secret ballot in December.1
Trump Blames War Costs and Weak Candidates for Losses
In an interview with Stephen A. Smith on Thursday, President Trump said Republican midterm losses were driven by both weak candidates and voter worries about affordability. He acknowledged that the Iran war created conditions that turned voters against his party, saying, “I don’t think it was the war as much as what the war did.” Trump added that he is “disappointed” in people who voted against Republicans over the war, calling the higher costs a small price to pay. He also said Texas Senate candidate Ken Paxton made a mistake by refusing to debate his Democratic opponent, James Talarico.2
LePage Wins Maine House Seat After Ranked Choice Count
Republican Paul LePage won Maine’s 2nd Congressional District on Thursday, defeating Democrat Matt Dunlap, the state auditor, after election officials finished the ranked choice voting process. LePage, a former governor, will replace retiring Democratic Rep. Jared Golden. According to The Associated Press, which called the race, the district is the only seat in the country that moved from Democratic to Republican control without the help of redistricting. Republicans also flipped seats in Texas and Tennessee, but both of those districts were redrawn to favor them. President Trump carried the Maine district by 9 points in 2024.3, 4
Talarico Tells Democrats They Must Work With Trump
Texas Sen.-elect James Talarico told a gathering of Democrats in Denver on Thursday that the party “must work with President Trump” as it takes over Congress. Speaking at the two-day What’s Next conference, hosted by a new group called Majority Democrats, Talarico pointed to the record of President Lyndon B. Johnson. “If President Trump wants the same plaques and portraits and busts as LBJ, we can help make that a reality,” he said. Talarico said Americans are hungry for a break from “politics as bloodsport.” He said Democrats need a party that is “a little less Washington and a little more Texas.”4, 2
State Level
Holscher Wins Kansas Governor Race as Masterson Concedes
Democrat Cindy Holscher was declared the winner of the Kansas governor’s race on Thursday, more than a week after Election Day, when The Associated Press called the contest. Holscher, a state senator, defeated Republican Ty Masterson, the president of the state Senate, by more than 7,000 votes. Masterson conceded later that day. “It looks like we will come up just short,” he said, adding that he had called Holscher to congratulate her. Holscher will succeed term-limited Gov. Laura Kelly, also a Democrat. CNN reported that her victory means more than 75% of Americans in the 50 states will have a Democratic governor.5, 2
Giessel Says Alaska Senate Coalition Holds a Majority
Alaska state Sen. Cathy Giessel, the incoming Senate president, said Thursday that the chamber’s bipartisan coalition has a “certain majority” even as three Republican members plan to leave it. Sens. Bert Stedman, Kelly Merrick and Jesse Bjorkman have signaled their departure, which would shrink the coalition from 14 members to 11 in the 20-seat Senate. Bjorkman said Senate leadership had assembled “the most liberal Senate majority possible.” Giessel said she has spoken with Democrat Jonathan Kreiss-Tomkins, who leads the uncalled governor’s race. She said he shares the coalition’s focus on affordability, energy and the needs of working Alaska families.6
Pingree Names Jesse Connolly Maine Chief of Staff
Maine Gov.-elect Hannah Pingree announced Thursday that Jesse Connolly will serve as her chief of staff. Connolly most recently served as chief of staff to her mother, U.S. Rep. Chellie Pingree, overseeing her Washington and Maine offices. He previously spent four years as Hannah Pingree’s chief of staff when she was speaker and majority leader of the Maine House. “Jesse is one of the most capable, strategic, and trusted leaders I have ever worked with,” Pingree said. Her transition committee, led by former Republican state Sen. Roger Katz and Maulian Bryant, is working to fill her Cabinet before she is sworn in on Jan. 6.7
Alan Wilson Opens Transition Website for Public Input
South Carolina Gov.-elect Alan Wilson launched his official transition website on Thursday and invited residents to share their ideas for improving state government. Wilson said the site is open to anyone with an idea to make government more efficient, a solution to a local challenge or a desire to serve. “The election may be over, but our work is just beginning,” Wilson said. “We are building an administration that puts South Carolina families first, and I believe the people of this state should have a voice in that process.” The site will also share updates on Wilson, Lieutenant Governor-elect Mike Reichenbach and the transition leadership.8
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Article Sources
1. NBC News, “Sen. Chris Van Hollen says he will challenge Sen. Chuck Schumer for majority leader,” Nov. 12, 2026.
https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/congress/sen-chris-van-hollen-says-will-challenge-sen-chuck-schumer-majority-le-rcna609100
2. CNN, “Trump says he’s ‘disappointed’ in voters who turned on GOP over the Iran war: Live updates,” Nov. 12, 2026.
https://edition.cnn.com/2026/11/12/politics/live-news/trump-congress?post-id=cmwdtyz1400003b6t37ttnenk
3. The Washington Post, “Republican Paul LePage wins election to U.S. House in Maine’s 2nd Congressional District,” Nov. 12, 2026.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2026/11/12/race-call-lepage-wins-maine-u.s.-house-district/74edd790-dec7-11f1-912c-4fbb80d73f7f_story.html
4. Associated Press, “The Latest: Democrats gather in Denver to map out their next steps,” Nov. 12, 2026.
https://apnews.com/article/donald-trump-midterm-elections-2789231dbe0a7a5d8dfcdebe82c0f58f
5. KCTV5, “Democrat Cindy Holscher to be next governor of Kansas,” Nov. 12, 2026.
https://www.kctv5.com/2026/11/12/democrat-cindy-holscher-be-next-governor-kansas/
6. Alaska’s News Source (KTUU), “Senate bipartisan caucus inches towards control, but margins are shrinking with Republican members departing,” Nov. 13, 2026.
https://www.alaskasnewssource.com/2026/11/13/senate-bipartisan-caucus-inches-towards-control-margins-are-shrinking-with-republican-members-depart/
7. Maine Morning Star, “Pingree turns to former chief of staff to lead upcoming administration,” Nov. 12, 2026.
https://mainemorningstar.com/2026/11/12/pingree-turns-to-former-chief-of-staff-to-lead-upcoming-administration/
8. FOX Carolina, “Governor-elect Alan Wilson launches transition website, invites input,” Nov. 12, 2026.
https://www.foxcarolina.com/2026/11/12/governor-elect-alan-wilson-launches-transition-website-invites-input/