Morning News Brief

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 11, 2026

SPECIAL MIDTERM ELECTION REPORT

Federal Level

Senate Republicans Keep Thune as Leader After Losses

Senate Republicans on Tuesday reelected South Dakota Sen. John Thune as their leader after a tense day of closed-door meetings about midterm losses that cost the party at least seven seats and its majority. A group of conservatives led by Wisconsin Sen. Ron Johnson tried to delay the vote, but the conference voted 31-15 to proceed, and Johnson walked out as voting began. Thune ran unopposed and was elected by acclamation along with the rest of the leadership team. Missouri Sen. Josh Hawley questioned the message sent by choosing to “just ratify all of the same leadership.” Thune will serve as minority leader next year.^{1, 2}

Jim Jordan Defeats Scalise to Lead House Republicans

House Republicans on Tuesday elected Ohio Rep. Jim Jordan, chairman of the Judiciary Committee, as their leader for the next Congress, when the party will be in the minority. Jordan defeated Majority Leader Steve Scalise of Louisiana by a vote of 106-73 in a secret ballot, according to two Republican lawmakers in the room. He replaces Speaker Mike Johnson, who stepped aside after last week’s losses. “When Democrats offer more government, we’ll offer more freedom,” Jordan told reporters. In other races, Whip Tom Emmer of Minnesota held off Rep. August Pfluger of Texas, and Conference Chair Lisa McClain of Michigan kept her post.²

Colom Lead Tops 2,600 Votes on Mississippi Deadline Day

Democrat Scott Colom’s lead over Republican Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith in Mississippi’s uncalled Senate race grew to 2,604 votes on Tuesday, according to the Associated Press. Tuesday was the deadline for mail-in absentee ballots to arrive and for voters to validate affidavit ballots with an acceptable ID. Counties must submit certified results to the state by Friday. Hyde-Smith returned to Washington on Tuesday and told CBS that she was “feeling very optimistic.” Mississippi has no recount law, so recounts occur only by court order. The outcome, along with Alaska’s, will decide whether Democrats expand their 54-seat Senate majority.^{3, 4}

Peltola Campaign Asks Alaska Judge for Ballot Records

Attorneys for Democrat Mary Peltola’s Senate campaign and the state of Alaska argued in Anchorage Superior Court on Tuesday over the campaign’s request for records on rejected absentee ballots. The campaign wants the names of voters whose ballots were rejected and the reasons for each rejection. A state attorney argued that releasing the data would violate voters’ constitutional right to privacy. Judge Thomas Matthews allowed Republican Sen. Dan Sullivan’s campaign to join the case and said he would rule before Wednesday afternoon. As of Tuesday, Peltola led Sullivan by 2,517 first-choice votes, and certification is scheduled for Nov. 25.⁵

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State Level

Holscher Begins Kansas Transition as Count Continues

Democrat Cindy Holscher said Tuesday that she has met with Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly and her team to begin a transition while votes in the governor’s race are still being counted. Holscher leads Republican Ty Masterson by fewer than 8,000 votes, and a state-required close-race audit is underway because the margin is within 1% of all votes cast. “Every vote deserves to be counted and every Kansan deserves to have confidence in the results,” Holscher said in a social media post. Under Kansas law, candidates have until 5 p.m. on Nov. 17 to request a recount after counties certify their results.⁶

Becerra Names Team to Lead California Transition

California Gov.-elect Xavier Becerra on Tuesday named the team that will oversee his transition and help build his administration before he takes office on Jan. 4, 2027. Longtime aide Liz Saldivar will lead the effort. Senior advisers include Lindsey Cobia, who runs Gov. Gavin Newsom’s Campaign for Democracy PAC, and Democratic operative Kyle Layman. Arsenio Mataka will direct policy, and Nicole Elliott, former head of the state cannabis department, will lead agency review. “This transition has one job: to ensure my administration is ready to deliver on day one,” Becerra said. He defeated Republican Steve Hilton on Nov. 3.⁷

Pingree Names 22 Members to Maine Transition Panel

Maine Gov.-elect Hannah Pingree on Tuesday announced the full 22-member committee that will help her choose state agency leaders and Cabinet members. Former Republican state Sen. Roger Katz and former Penobscot Nation Ambassador Maulian Bryant, whom Pingree named earlier, will lead the group. Members include former L.L. Bean chief executive Steve Smith, Biddeford Mayor Liam LaFountain and state Sen. Peggy Rotundo, who co-chairs the budget-writing Appropriations Committee. “They come from every corner of the state,” Pingree said at a State House news conference. Pingree, a Democrat, will be sworn in on Jan. 6 to succeed Gov. Janet Mills.⁸

Haaland Taps Tom Udall to Chair New Mexico Transition

New Mexico Gov.-elect Deb Haaland announced Tuesday that former U.S. Sen. Tom Udall will serve as honorary chairman of her transition team. She also named former Albuquerque Mayor Martin Chávez and former first lady Clara Apodaca to plan her inauguration, which is set for New Year’s Day in Santa Fe. Honorary co-chairs include all five members of the state’s congressional delegation, top Democratic legislators, four tribal leaders and Navajo Nation President-elect Crystalyne Curley. Udall said the team is “committed to supporting the governor-elect’s vision.” Haaland defeated Republican Gregg Hull last week and will succeed Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham.⁹

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Article Sources

1. Associated Press, “Senate Republicans vote to keep Thune as leader after steep election losses,” Nov. 10, 2026.

https://apnews.com/article/john-thune-republican-leadership-elections-aee05eef5d85aafde6fbb27272977a14

2. NBC News via NBC 5 Dallas-Fort Worth, “House Republicans elect Rep. Jim Jordan as their next leader,” Nov. 10, 2026.

https://www.nbcdfw.com/news/politics/republicans-vote-leadership-in-congress/4104053/?amp=1

3. Yahoo News, “Mississippi Senate latest: Scott Colom’s lead over Cindy Hyde-Smith tops 2,500 votes as key deadlines loom,” Nov. 10, 2026.

https://www.yahoo.com/news/politics/article/mississippi-senate-latest-scott-coloms-lead-over-cindy-hyde-smith-tops-2500-votes-as-key-deadlines-loom-183943706.html

4. Associated Press via Spectrum News, “More than a dozen key races remain too early to call one week after Election Day,” Nov. 10, 2026.

https://spectrumlocalnews.com/tx/austin/ap-top-news/2026/11/10/more-than-a-dozen-key-races-remain-too-early-to-call-one-week-after-election-day

5. Anchorage Daily News, “In court, Peltola campaign asks Alaska judge to allow release of absentee ballot data,” Nov. 10, 2026.

https://www.adn.com/politics/2026/11/10/in-court-peltola-campaign-asks-alaska-judge-to-allow-release-of-absentee-ballot-data/

6. KAKE, “Cindy Holscher begins transition process as Kansas gubernatorial race margin grows,” Nov. 10, 2026.

https://www.kake.com/home/cindy-holscher-begins-transition-process-as-kansas-gubernatorial-race-margin-grows/article_8466bb9d-ff05-41e8-b279-1688b2c705ba.html

7. Los Angeles Times, “Gov.-elect Xavier Becerra names transition team,” Nov. 10, 2026.

https://www.latimes.com/politics/story/2026-11-10/gov-elect-xavier-becerra-names-transition-team

8. Maine Public, “Gov-elect Pingree announces 22-member transition committee,” Nov. 10, 2026.

https://www.mainepublic.org/politics/2026-11-10/gov-elect-pingree-announces-22-member-transition-committee

9. Albuquerque Journal, “Haaland names Tom Udall as honorary transition chairman, begins inauguration planning,” Nov. 10, 2026.

https://www.abqjournal.com/news/haaland-names-tom-udall-as-honorary-transition-chairman-begins-inauguration-planning/3159611