FOUR-MINUTE READ | UNBIASED COVERAGE OF TOP POLITICAL NEWS
Federal Level
Judges Question Federal Bid to Set Aside Ballots
On Sunday, a federal appeals court panel questioned the Justice Department’s request to force California officials to set aside mail ballots from 20,000 voters the administration believes are noncitizens. Judges Mark Bennett and Gabriel Sanchez asked why the department appealed before the district court ruled, and they pressed its lawyer on the reliability of the voter list. Justice Department attorney Matthew Donnelly said sworn declarations from Homeland Security officials supported the request. A lawyer for California called the data outdated and unreliable. The Ninth Circuit panel did not issue a ruling, and a district court hearing is planned for Tuesday.1, 2
Trump Targets Senate Rival at Michigan Rally
On Sunday, President Donald Trump invoked the September 11 attacks while campaigning against Democratic Senate nominee Abdul El-Sayed at a rally in Port Huron, Michigan. Trump said El-Sayed was “on the side of the terrorists” and would need to pass through a metal detector to enter the Senate. El-Sayed has denied ties to extremist groups, and The Associated Press reported there is no evidence he is affiliated with the Muslim Brotherhood. Republican nominee Mike Rogers repeated his allegations about those ties before Trump spoke. Bishara Bahbah, a founder of Arab Americans for Trump, condemned the remarks. El-Sayed responded at a Grand Rapids rally later Sunday.3
CBS Poll Gives Democrats Edge for House Majority
On Sunday, CBS News released a survey and House model estimating that Democrats were on pace to win 229 seats, while leaving Republicans a narrow path to keep control. CBS said the Democratic advantage had held steady over recent weeks but had not expanded. Voters remained concerned about inflation and the economy, but neither party was seen by a majority as having a clear plan. Voters who said they would only probably or maybe vote leaned Republican, making turnout a key factor. YouGov interviewed 2,355 adults from October 21 through 23. CBS said its seat estimates are subject to statistical error and may change.4
Schiff Puts Living Costs Ahead of Impeachment
On Sunday, Senator Adam Schiff said Democrats should make lowering the cost of living their top priority if they win control of Congress, rather than focusing on another impeachment of President Donald Trump. The California Democrat told NBC’s “Meet the Press” that Congress should focus on bringing down the cost of food, medicine and rent. He said oversight should examine corruption that he argued is driving prices higher, without prejudging the outcome. Schiff said that if the corruption leads toward impeachment, “it will lead wherever it leads.” Asked whether impeachment should be off the table, he reserved judgment but said families’ finances must come first.5
Tillis Warns Medicaid Cuts Are Coming Too Soon
On Sunday, Republican Senator Thom Tillis warned that Medicaid changes in his party’s tax and spending law would create significant challenges, saying the reductions were arriving too soon. The retiring North Carolina senator told CBS’s “Face the Nation” that he supported the law’s tax provisions but objected to health care provisions that went beyond what the House had proposed. Tillis said his effort had focused on changing the timing of the cuts, not necessarily eliminating them. He described the law’s effects as a 10-year impact and said health care would remain a major factor in future elections as states work through the consequences.6
State Level
Whitmer Pledges State Action Against Voter Intimidation
On Sunday, Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer said anyone who tries to undermine the state’s election or intimidate voters will face the full force of Michigan law and law enforcement. Speaking on NBC’s “Meet the Press,” the Democrat said states run elections and must abide by the results, even when leaders dislike them. She noted that she made sure Michigan’s election two years ago was certified. Whitmer said she would take the White House to court if it tried to undermine the election, while defending her efforts to build bridges with President Donald Trump. She also said she would campaign for Democrats through Election Day.5
Hinojosa Seeks Support Beyond Democrats in Texas
On Sunday, Texas Democratic governor candidate Gina Hinojosa said deep disappointment with both major parties was opening a path for her campaign against Governor Greg Abbott. Speaking on CBS’s “Face the Nation,” the state representative named saving public schools, expanding children’s access to health care and combating high insurance premiums as priorities. She also called for protecting rural communities facing data center development, citing concerns about water, electricity costs and property rights. Hinojosa said Texans should have a seat at the table in those decisions. She described her agenda as populist and said it “is not a Democratic agenda.”7
Hochul Joins Mamdani at Brooklyn Labor Canvass
On Sunday, New York Governor Kathy Hochul appeared with Mayor Zohran Mamdani at a labor canvass kickoff at Medgar Evers College in Brooklyn. Mamdani praised her partnership on child care, including the launch of free 2-K in the city, and Hochul called him the best partner she could imagine. Union members from the Teamsters, District Council 37 and other groups attended as the governor sought strong turnout in the city. Asked about Mamdani voting for her on the Working Families Party line, Hochul said that was fine as long as people vote. Republican Bruce Blakeman criticized the alliance at a Sunday rally in Rockland County.8
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Article Sources
1. Los Angeles Times, “9th Circuit panel questions basis for feds’ request to block 20,000 California ballots,” Oct. 25, 2026.
https://www.latimes.com/politics/story/2026-10-25/9th-circuit-hears-arguments-on-20-000-ballots-in-california
2. CNN, “Judges skeptical of Trump administration effort to force California to set aside mail ballots,” Oct. 25, 2026.
https://us.cnn.com/2026/10/25/politics/california-midterm-voting-judges
3. Associated Press, “Trump escalates anti-Muslim attacks against El-Sayed in Michigan, drawing Arab American rebuke,” Oct. 25, 2026.
https://apnews.com/article/trump-michigan-elsayed-rogers-senate-midterms-162330c3d193ecb94538f8dd8083f916
4. CBS News, “CBS News poll finds Democrats still boosted by voters’ economic concerns, but many don’t think either party has a plan,” Oct. 25, 2026.
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/poll-house-estimate-midterm-elections-2026/
5. NBC News, “Meet the Press, October 25, 2026,” Oct. 25, 2026.
https://www.nbcnews.com/meet-the-press/transcripts/meet-press-october-25-2026-rcna605531
6. CBS News, “Transcript: Sen. Thom Tillis on “Face the Nation with Margaret Brennan,” Oct. 25, 2026,” Oct. 25, 2026.
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/thom-tillis-north-carolina-republican-face-the-nation-transcript-10-25-2026/?intcid=CNI-00-10aaa3a
7. CBS News, “Gina Hinojosa says there’s “deep disappointment in both political parties” in Texas right now,” Oct. 25, 2026.
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/gina-hinojosa-texas-governors-race-face-the-nation/?intcid=CNI-00-10aaa3a
8. City & State New York, “Hochul spends first weekend of early voting with Mamdani in tow,” Oct. 25, 2026.
https://www.cityandstateny.com/politics/2026/10/hochul-spends-first-weekend-early-voting-mamdani-tow/416806/