FOUR-MINUTE READ | UNBIASED COVERAGE OF TOP POLITICAL NEWS
Federal Level
Stevens Backs Republican Rogers in Michigan Senate Race
On Sunday, Democratic Rep. Haley Stevens endorsed Republican Mike Rogers in Michigan’s U.S. Senate race, two days before the election. Stevens lost the August primary to Democrat Abdul El-Sayed and had first backed him. She said El-Sayed told her she was no longer welcome in his campaign. Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer called the move “a despicable betrayal,” and her chief of staff of eight years, Justin German, said he and many staff members had resigned. El-Sayed’s campaign said it raised $1.2 million in about four hours afterward. Stevens told Politico she is “still very much a Democrat.”1, 2
Judge Tosses DOJ Suit Over Alaska Senate Certification
A federal judge on Sunday dismissed a Justice Department lawsuit that sought to block certification of Alaska’s U.S. Senate race if Republican Sen. Dan Sullivan loses. The suit asked for an investigation into whether votes for a retired teacher named Daniel J. Sullivan were meant for the senator. U.S. District Judge Sharon Gleason wrote that the requested relief was “infeasible” because many ballots had already been cast and mixed together. She added that the government offered no workable plan to protect voter secrecy. The Justice Department then filed notice that it will appeal. Sullivan faces Democrat Mary Peltola on Tuesday.2
Trump Returns to Rally Stage in Iowa and Kansas
President Trump held rallies on Sunday in Dubuque, Iowa, and Salina, Kansas, a day after pausing his rallies. In Iowa, Republicans are working to hold a U.S. Senate seat and the governor’s office, and the Dubuque-area House district has also become competitive. Trump spoke for about two hours and told the crowd, “We’re going to elect ‘America first’ Republicans up and down the line.” The Kansas stop supported Republican Sen. Roger Marshall, whose race against Democrat Adam Hamilton is projected as a toss-up. Trump has suggested he will give his closing pitch Monday in Washington.3, 4
Bacon Warns Tariffs Could Weigh on Republican Candidates
Outgoing Republican Rep. Don Bacon of Nebraska said on Sunday that President Trump’s policies, particularly tariffs, could hurt his party in Tuesday’s midterm elections. “Tariffs are not popular here in the Midwest,” Bacon told CNN’s “State of the Union,” adding that he had tried to tell the president so. He predicted a debate within the party about its future if Republicans suffer significant losses. Sen. Tim Scott of South Carolina, who chairs the National Republican Senatorial Committee, offered a more confident view on NBC’s “Meet the Press.” Scott said Republicans would keep the Senate and that Trump’s agenda is on the ballot.3
Sen. Chris Murphy Hospitalized After Suffering Stroke
Democratic Sen. Chris Murphy of Connecticut has been hospitalized after having a stroke, his office said on Sunday. According to the statement, Murphy, 53, began to feel numbness in his arm on Saturday while attending his son’s hockey game. He was taken to a hospital, where doctors found that he had suffered a stroke, and he was later transferred to Johns Hopkins. His office said doctors are encouraged by his progress, that he is awake and alert, and that it is optimistic he will make a full recovery. Murphy is serving his third term in the Senate after three terms in the House.2
State Level
Georgia Governor Candidates Make Final Sunday Appeals
Georgia’s candidates for governor spent Sunday at separate churches and closing events before Tuesday’s election. Democrat Keisha Lance Bottoms attended her home congregation in Atlanta, then headed to turnout rallies in middle Georgia. Republican Rick Jackson visited a Gainesville megachurch and later held his last major rally without mentioning President Trump, instead praising Gov. Brian Kemp, who has endorsed him. Georgia voters cast about 2.8 million early ballots, a midterm record, and almost a third came from Black voters. Kemp has posted videos urging Republicans to vote Tuesday, and he and Jackson plan a seven-stop airport tour on Monday.2, 1
Shapiro Says Pennsylvania Ready for Election Challenges
Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro said on Sunday that his state is prepared to defend its vote count in court if President Trump challenges the results. Speaking on CBS’s “Face the Nation,” the Democrat said Trump and his allies sued him 43 times after the 2020 election and lost every case. Shapiro said a task force formed more than a year ago is ready again. He also said the Department of Homeland Security never provided evidence for its claim that thousands of noncitizens may be registered to vote in Pennsylvania. Shapiro, who is seeking reelection, declined to discuss a possible presidential run.5
Tiffany Rallies in Madison as Wisconsin Race Nears End
Republican Rep. Tom Tiffany, the party’s nominee for governor of Wisconsin, held a rally on Sunday in heavily Democratic Madison as the race entered its final two days. Tiffany told supporters that he can feel momentum breaking his way and called the contest “a turnout election.” He was joined by U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson and former Wisconsin Gov. Tommy Thompson. His Democratic opponent, David Crowley, campaigned on Sunday with Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear and is scheduled to appear Monday with former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg. Both candidates are using well-known supporters to travel across the state before polls open on Tuesday.2
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Article Sources
1. Politico, “Haley Stevens’ bombshell sends Michigan Senate race into chaos,” Nov. 1, 2026.
https://www.politico.com/storyline/live/2026/11/01/2026-midterm-elections-preview-sunday
2. Associated Press (via News4JAX), “The Latest: Trump says at Iowa rally he’d love for Haley Stevens to switch parties,” Nov. 1, 2026.
https://www.news4jax.com/news/politics/2026/11/01/the-latest-democrat-who-lost-michigan-senate-primary-backs-republican-in-general-election-contest/
3. Associated Press (via KSAT), “Trump’s rallies in Iowa and Kansas come as Republicans fight to keep Senate and House control,” Nov. 1, 2026.
https://www.ksat.com/news/politics/2026/11/01/trumps-rallies-in-iowa-and-kansas-come-as-republicans-fight-to-keep-senate-and-house-control/
4. WIBW, “WATCH LIVE: President Trump holds midterm rally Sunday in Salina,” Nov. 1, 2026.
https://www.wibw.com/2026/11/01/watch-live-president-trump-holds-rally-sunday-salina/
5. CBS News (via Yahoo News), “Transcript: Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro on ‘Face the Nation with Margaret Brennan,’ Nov. 1, 2026,” Nov. 1, 2026.
https://www.yahoo.com/news/politics/articles/transcript-pennsylvania-gov-josh-shapiro-153016628.html