Category: fox-news/politics/elections/midterm-elections

Tim Scott tells MAGA voters Trump ‘is on the ballot’ as GOP fights to grow Senate majority in 2026

Posted on by Latest Political News on Fox News

As he aims to not only defend but expand the GOP's 53-47 Senate majority in next year's midterm elections, Sen. Tim Scott has a message for MAGA voters who don't always go to the polls when President Donald Trump's name isn't on the ballot.

"Donald Trump is on the ballot, and that's why he's been so active around the country," Scott, the chair of the National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC) said this week in a Fox News Digital interview.

Scott, a Republican from South Carolina and Trump ally, said, "I look forward to seeing the president on the campaign trail across this country."

WHATLEY: ‘THE PRESIDENT AND HIS LEGACY’ ON 2026 BALLOT

And the president appears to be delivering.

Trump on Friday night held the second leg of his affordability tour during a stop in battleground North Carolina, home to what is shaping up to be one of the most crucial, combustible, and expensive Senate battles next year.

"We're certainly going to need him to be on the ballot," former Republican National Committee Chair Michael Whatley told Fox News Digital, as he pointed to Trump.

THE GOP'S TAKE ON HIGH-PROFILE SENATE DEMOCRATIC PRIMARIES: 'THEY'RE IN SHAMBLES'

Whatley, the Trump-backed clear frontrunner for the GOP Senate nomination in the 2026 race to succeed retiring Republican Sen. Thom Tillis of North Carolina, joined Trump at Friday night's event.

"When you think about what happens if we lose the House, if we lose the Senate, if the Democrats take over, and they go right back to investigations and hoaxes and impeachments, that is really, truly the president and his legacy are going to be on the ballot," Whatley emphasized.

Trump and Republicans spotlighted rising prices as they swept to major victories in 2024, retaking the White House and Senate and holding their majority in the House.

But with inflation remaining persistent, Democrats have been laser focused this year on the issue of affordability, which fueled their decisive victories in last month's 2025 elections and their overperformances this year in a slew of special elections.

But Scott predicts the tide will turn.

"I've said 2026 is a year of affordability, and the great news is President Trump has been producing time and time again," he touted.

Pointing to the tax cut provisions in the GOP's sweeping domestic policy measure signed into law this past summer by Trump, Scott said "2026 is shaping up to be the year where Donald Trump's activities, his actions, the legislation we've passed, shows up for the American voter. And consumers all across the country will see a more affordable economy because of President Trump and the Senate majority and the House majority in the hands of the Republican Party."

GOP SENATE CAMPAIGN CHIEF AIMS TO EXPAND 2026 MAP IN THIS BLUE-LEANING STATE

Lauren French, communications director at Senate Majority PAC, the top Senate Democrat-aligned outside group, told Fox News Digital that "even Tim Scott is occasionally right — 2026 will be the year of affordability."

But taking aim at the GOP narrative, French argued that affordability will continue to grab top billing with voters "because Americans can't afford Donald Trump and Republican policies that continue to drive up the cost of groceries, basic goods, and, right now, Christmas presents."

"The out-of-touch insistence from the GOP that the economy is thriving proves they don't understand what working families are facing, which is probably why Democrats won or dramatically overperformed in every contested election this year," she emphasized. "2026 will be no different as Democrats continue to put forward real plans to address the cost-of-living crisis."

There are 35 Senate seats up for grabs next year, including special elections for GOP-held seats in Florida and Ohio. Overall, Republicans are defending 22 of the seats.

But the map of competitive races is much smaller.

Scott reiterated that open Democrat-held seats in battleground Michigan and swing state New Hampshire are two of the NRSC's top targets, along with Sen. Jon Ossoff in battleground Georgia, whom Republicans consider the most vulnerable Democrat seeking re-election next year.

4 KEY SENATE SEATS REPUBLICANS AIM TO FLIP IN 2026 MIDTERMS TO EXPAND THEIR MAJORITY

The NRSC chair is also eyeing blue-leaning Minnesota, where the Senate GOP campaign arm is working to recruit former professional football sideline reporter turned political activist and commentator Michele Tafoya, who is inching closer to jumping into the race.

"We're excited about expanding our map, and Minnesota is one of the target states that we're looking at," Scott said. "We see real reasons to be optimistic. President Trump was very close in Minnesota. It's a four-point race. We know with the right candidate, we will be successful."

Apparently pointing to Tafoya, Scott suggested Republicans are likely to land "a strong candidate in the race," and teased "wait and see" for "better news."

Scott will likely be playing defense in Texas, where there's currently a nasty-three way GOP Senate primary, as well as in North Carolina, Maine, and Ohio.

Asked his prediction for next year, Scott said "54 is clearly within our grasp right now, but with a little bit of luck, 55 is on our side."

Stefanik exits NY governor race, will not run for re-election to US House

Posted on by Latest Political News on Fox News

Rep. Elise Stefanik, R-N.Y., on Friday announced that she is ending her bid for governor and will not seek reelection, just over a month after launching her campaign. 

In a message posted to X, Stefanik cited her family as her reason for stepping out of the race to unseat Democratic Gov. Kathy Hochul. 

POTENTIAL GOP CHALLENGER WARNS HOCHUL THAT A CORPORATE TAX HIKE WOULD BE A 'DISASTER' FOR NEW YORK'S ECONOMY

"While spending precious time with my family this Christmas season, I have made the decision to suspend my campaign for Governor and will not seek reelection to Congress. I did not come to this decision lightly for our family," she wrote on X. 

"And while many know me as Congresswoman, my most important title is Mom," she added. "I believe that being a parent is life's greatest gift and greatest responsibility. I have thought deeply about this and I know that as a mother, I will feel profound regret if I don't further focus on my young son's safety, growth, and happiness - particularly at his tender age."

KEY TRUMP ALLY JUMPS INTO NEW YORK GOVERNOR'S RACE DAYS AFTER SHOCKING MAMDANI MAYORAL VICTORY

In her message, Stefanik thanked her supporters for their donations but said it wouldn't be an "effective use of our time or your generous resources to spend the first half of next year in an unnecessary and protracted Republican primary, especially in a challenging state like New York."

"Elise Stefanik, a fantastic person and Congresswoman from New York State, has just announced she won’t be running for Governor," President Donald Trump wrote on Truth Social. "Elise is a tremendous talent, regardless of what she does. She will have GREAT success, and I am with her all the way!"

Stefanik launched her gubernatorial campaign in November with a platform centered on crime, taxes and affordability across the Empire State.

Stefanik, who represents a conservative-leaning district in upstate New York, has often criticized Democratic leaders within her state. 

The now-41-year-old Stefanik, a Harvard graduate who worked as a staffer in then-President George W. Bush’s administration and later as an aide on the Mitt Romney-Paul Ryan 2012 GOP presidential ticket, made history in 2014 as the youngest woman ever elected to the U.S. House.

A one-time moderate Republican, Stefanik transformed herself into a MAGA champion during Trump’s first term in the White House, rising through the ranks of GOP leadership in the chamber. Her loyalty to Trump, including defending him during the first of his two impeachments, appeared to pay off after he won back the presidency in the 2024 election. Trump nominated Stefanik to serve as U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, a high-profile cabinet-level position.

But Trump, concerned about the GOP’s razor-thin majority in the chamber, in March rescinded the nomination, worrying that Republicans could lose Stefanik’s seat to the Democrats in a special election.

While Stefanik remained in the House, and GOP leaders created a new leadership position for her, she soon eyed running for New York governor in 2026, with Trump’s encouragement.

Another potential GOP Republican gubernatorial contender, Rep. Mike Lawler, announced during the summer that he would seek reelection in the House rather than bid for governor.

But Nassau County executive Bruce Blakeman, another Trump ally, last week jumped into the GOP race after mulling a bid for months.

Trump stayed neutral, telling reporters at the White House after Blakeman announced his candidacy that "Elise is fantastic and Bruce is."

"Two fantastic people, and I always hate it when two very good friends of mine are running, and I hope there’s not a lot of damage done," the president added.

Even though Stefanik was the clear polling and fundraising frontrunner for the GOP gubernatorial nomination, those in her political orbit told Fox News Digital Stefanik was concerned that a primary battle would make her uphill climb against Hochul in blue-leaning New York ever steeper.

As she eyed a run for governor, Stefanik argued in a Fox News Digital interview in June that Hochul was "the worst governor in America." It’s a line she would repeatedly use in the ensuing months. 

And Stefanik, aiming to paint the governor as an extremist, regularly tied Hochul to now-Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani of New York City, a socialist and the first Muslim mayor of the nation’s most populous city.

But Trump seemingly undercut Stefanik’s messaging that Mamdani was a "jihadist" after a cordial embrace of the mayor-elect during an Oval Office meeting after his New York City victory.

NC Senate showdown escalates as Trump rallies behind Whatley to keep GOP seat

Posted on by Latest Political News on Fox News

President Donald Trump heads to battleground North Carolina on Friday as he aims to keep an open Senate seat, previously held by a Republican, in GOP hands in next year's midterm elections.

Trump will hold an evening event on affordability as he teams up in the crucial southeastern state with Michael Whatley, a former Republican National Committee (RNC) chair and clear frontrunner for the GOP Senate nomination in the 2026 race to succeed retiring Republican Sen. Thom Tillis.

Whatley is likely to face off next year against former two-term Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper in what's expected to be one of the most expensive and crucial Senate battles in the country, as the GOP works to hold its 53-47 majority in the chamber. And rising prices will be a top issue on the campaign trail.

"President Trump won North Carolina all three times. 2016, 2020, and 2024... because he connects directly with the people of North Carolina, talking about the issues that they care about. So it is very important to have him on the ground," Whatley emphasized this week in a Fox News Digital interview.

TRUMP-BACKED RNC CHAIR JUMPS INTO ‘MARQUEE’ SENATE BATTLE 

Low propensity MAGA voters and other Trump supporters don't always head to the polls in elections when the president's not on the ballot, which is a major concern for Republicans heading into next year's midterms.

That's why Whatley, a former state GOP chair whom Trump handpicked in 2024 to run the RNC and urged this summer to run for the Senate, would love to see the president return to North Carolina numerous times next year.

GOP SENATE CAMPAIGN CHIEF AIMS TO EXPAND 2026 MAP IN THIS BLUE-LEANING STATE

"He is fantastically popular in North Carolina," Whatley said of Trump. "He has a real affinity for the state. The voters...love him, and it'll be very, very good to get him back in North Carolina."

But more importantly, Whatley and other Republicans are aiming to frame the 2026 elections as a referendum on Trump and his agenda.

"We're certainly going to need him to be on the ballot," Whatley emphasized. "When you think about what happens if we lose the House, if we lose the Senate, if the Democrats take over, and they go right back to investigations and hoaxes and impeachments, that is really, truly the president and his legacy are going to be on the ballot."

With inflation remaining persistent this year, Democrats have stayed laser focused on the issue of affordability, which fueled them to decisive victories in last month's 2025 elections and over performances in a slew of special elections this year.

THE GOP'S TAKE ON HIGH-PROFILE SENATE DEMOCRATIC PRIMARIES: 'THEY'RE IN SHAMBLES'

The same issue that boosted Trump and Republicans to sweeping ballot box victories in 2024 is now dragging the president's approval ratings on the economy to record lows.

Whatley argued that the president "is fighting right now to bring down gasoline prices... We're fighting, you know, every day against the Fed, trying to get them to lower interest rates and make housing more affordable. And you know, there's, there's a fight every day with this administration to try and bring down the prices for everybody."

And looking ahead to next year, Whatley said, "We're seeing signs already that the economy is starting to tick up and is starting to take hold as the President's policies are getting in place. We need to make sure that we have the trade policies, the tax policies, the regulatory policies from this administration that are going to help our small businesses, our manufacturers and our farmers across North Carolina."

But Democratic National Committee Chair Ken Martin sees Trump and Republicans headed for a ballot box disaster.

"Donald Trump has lost the economy, is losing his mind, and is going to lose the midterms," Martin said in a statement ahead of Trump's stop in North Carolina.

Whatley has been busy crisscrossing North Carolina and highlighted that "we're talking to every single community. We will be in all 100 counties across North Carolina, and we're fighting for every single family."

And he plans to hold tight to Trump.

"Our voters know Donald Trump, and they know me. I've worked on his campaigns since 2016. President Trump won North Carolina in all three election cycles. So we know how to win, and we have the policies that are going to win," Whatley emphasized.

And pointing to Cooper, who won election and re-election four times as attorney general before becoming governor, Whatley charged that "Roy Cooper is on the wrong side of every 80-20 issue. He has fought harder for criminals, for illegal aliens, men who want to, you know, play in women's sports and be in women's locker rooms. Those are issue sets that he's going to have to defend."

But Cooper's campaign countered, saying in a statement to Fox News Digital that the former governor "has spent his career fighting for North Carolina families by lowering health care costs and keeping their communities safe while Michael Whatley spent decades at the beck and call of DC politicians delivering for billionaires and special interests at the expense of the middle class."

Congress melts down: Members unleash personal attacks after weeks of shutdown drama

Posted on by Latest Political News on Fox News

Let’s face it: Politics is personal. And you cannot separate the two on Capitol Hill.

Lawmakers may not have missed legislating during the government shutdown. But they sure missed attacking one another.

Yes, both chambers of Congress voted to reopen the government. That’s legislating. There were certainly a few bills of consequence on the House and Senate floors in September before the shutdown. 

There was a little bit in the Senate, which remained in session during the shutdown. There was the adoption of the measure to compel the release of the Epstein files.

EPSTEIN DOCUMENTS RAISE NEW QUESTIONS ABOUT TRUMP CONDUCT AS HE DENOUNCES DEMOCRATS

But prior to that, one must hustle all the way back to the Senate’s approval of the "big, beautiful bill" in June and the House in early July — plus the plan to defund foreign programs and the Corporation for Public Broadcasting — to find Congress really engaging in legislation of consequence in 2025. 

So, what has the House of Representatives resorted to since it’s been back in session? Members taking on members. Even fellow lawmakers of their own party.

It’s gotten personal. And you don’t even have to be a voting member of the House to face the wrath of your colleagues.

There was an effort by Republicans to censure the non-voting Democratic member from the U.S. Virgin Islands to Congress, Del. Stacey Plaskett, for exchanging messages with Epstein in preparation for President Donald Trump’s first impeachment in 2019.

Trump loyalists in the House would find revenge on Paskett sweeter than Caribbean sugar cane. Plaskett served as one of the House’s impeachment "managers," prosecuting the House’s second impeachment case of Trump before the Senate in early 2021.

The measure to rebuke Plaskett failed. And, as a result, Democrats refrained from a similar censure effort for Rep. Cory Mills, R-Fla.

That said, Democrats and some Republicans want to discipline Mills for two alleged transgressions. Democrats prepped a resolution in September to censure Mills for allegedly harassing and assaulting an ex-girlfriend in Washington, D.C. 

Mills contends he did nothing wrong.

Rep. Nancy Mace, R-S.C., wants to censure Mills now. Mills provided a key vote earlier in 2025 to block the censure of Rep. Ilhan Omar, D-Minn., over her remarks following the assassination of Charlie Kirk.

Some lawmakers also want House discipline for Mace after authorities claim she cursed and berated TSA workers and other employees at the Charleston, South Carolina, airport recently.  

Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez, D-Wash., is one of the most centrist members in the House. She prepped a rebuke of Rep. Chuy Garcia, D-Ill., in November. 

Garcia is retiring at the end of his term in early 2027. He filed for re-election but then decided at the last moment to step aside. 

The Illinois Democrat cited family-related health reasons and his family’s recent adoption of an 8-year-old boy. However, the only person who apparently knew about the Congressman’s plans was Patty Garcia, his chief of staff. 

Chuy Garcia is not related to Patty Garcia. However, she filed paperwork to run for the House seat with just moments to spare before the deadline. It turns out that Patty Garcia is the only one to file for the seat. That means Patty Garcia is practically a shoo-in for victory in the heavily Democratic seat. 

JOHNSON SAYS HE'S 'OPEN' TO CHANGING HOUSE CENSURE RULES AFTER WEEK OF POLITICAL DRAMA

The audacious move by Patty Garcia and Chuy Garcia gave critics fodder to chew on. They believed that the outgoing congressman pre-baked the ballot, delivering a political Walter Payton stiff-arm that blocked anyone else from running except his chief of staff.

Old-style Chicago machine politics haven’t been this brutal in the Windy City since they originally brewed Old Style beer.

Gluesenkamp Perez and others excoriated the sitting congressman, voting 236-183 to sanction him. Including Gluesenkamp Perez, 23 Democrats voted with all Republicans to dock Chuy Garcia.

So, it’s likely that voters will elect Patty Garcia as congresswoman-elect in the fall of 2026. But after the vote to sanction her old boss, winds blowing off of Lake Michigan would provide a warmer welcome for Patty Garcia to Capitol Hill when she prospectively takes office in January 2027.

Now there’s a move to sanction Rep. Shelia Cherfilus-McCormick D-Fla., after she was indicted for allegedly stealing $5 million in COVID-related health aid. 

Rep. Greg Steube, R-Fla., prepped a resolution to expel Cherfilus-McCormick even though there’s been no trial. Cherfilus-McCormick says the indictment is a sham.

And we haven’t even discussed efforts earlier in 2025 to expel Rep. LaMonica McIver, D-N.J., after she was charged with allegedly assaulting ICE agents at a detention center in Newark, New Jersey, in the spring. McIver continues to serve and pleaded not guilty. 

This may only get worse.

Sens. Elissa Slotkin, D-Mich.; Mark Kelly, D-Ariz.; and Reps. Chrissy Houlahan, D-Pa;, Chris Deluzio, D-Pa.; Jason Crow, D-Colo.; and Maggie Goodlander, D-N.H., faced criticism over a video in which they instructed service members to defy illegal orders. 

Secretary of War Pete Hegseth has now launched an investigation into Kelly and threatened to recall the former astronaut to active duty to face military discipline.

And it’s not just member on member. The president also excoriated his arch-nemesis on the Republican side of the aisle, Rep. Thomas Massie, R-Ky., for getting married 16 months after the congressman’s first wife, Rhonda, died.

"Did Thomas Massie, sometimes referred to as Rand Paul Jr., because of the fact that he always votes against the Republican Party, get married already??? Boy, that was quick!" Trump posted to Truth Social in November. "Anyway, have a great life Thomas and (?). His wife will soon find out that she’s stuck with a LOSER!"

It’s now officially the holiday season. And few on Capitol Hill are truly extending tidings of good cheer to their congressional colleagues. It surely can’t get any worse, can it?

Well, we’re not even halfway through the 119th Congress. And after lengthy recesses in July, all of August, a portion of September — and for the House, all of October and some of November — lawmakers are just making up for lost time. The recriminations will keep coming.

Politicians have decided to make it personal. It’s easier to attack one another and score political points than legislate.

It’s not practical politics. Lawmakers just prefer personal politics.

Trump drops Marjorie Taylor Greene endorsement, calls her a ‘ranting lunatic,’ hints at backing primary rival

Posted on by Latest Political News on Fox News

President Donald Trump announced Friday night on Truth Social that he is withdrawing his support and endorsement of Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, calling her a "ranting lunatic" and accusing the Georgia Republican of "complaining" instead of celebrating what he described as his administration’s "record achievements."

The president claimed that Greene "has told many people that she is upset that I don’t return her phone calls anymore" in a long post where he ultimately vowed "Complete and Unyielding Support" to any conservative primary challenger leading into the 2026 midterm elections.

Trump claimed Greene had "gone Far Left," citing her recent appearance on The View, and gave her the new nickname "Wacky Marjorie."

Greene has been one of Trump’s most vocal allies since entering Congress in 2021, backing him during multiple impeachment attempts and campaigning with him across red states.

EX-GOP OFFICIAL TURNED DEMOCRAT TARGETS TRUMP IN BATTLEGROUND STATE GUBERNATORIAL CAMPAIGN LAUNCH

"It seemed to all begin when I sent her a Poll stating that she should not run for Senator, or Governor, she was at 12%, and didn’t have a chance (unless, of course, she had my Endorsement — which she wasn’t about to get!)," the president wrote. 

"She has told many people that she is upset that I don’t return her phone calls anymore, but with 219 Congressmen/women, 53 U.S. Senators, 24 Cabinet Members, almost 200 Countries, and an otherwise normal life to lead, I can’t take a ranting Lunatic’s call every day," Trump added. 

Rep. Greene responded immediately on social media, writing on X that "President Trump just attacked me and lied about me."

REP MARJORIE TAYLOR GREENE SAYS THERE ARE MANY 'WEAK REPUBLICAN MEN'

"I haven’t called him at all, but I did send these text messages today," Greene added with screenshots of text messages. "Apparently this is what sent him over the edge. The Epstein files. And of course he’s coming after me hard to make an example to scare all the other Republicans before next week's vote to release the Epstein files. It’s astonishing really how hard he’s fighting to stop the Epstein files from coming out that he actually goes to this level."

Greene seemed to have shut the door for any future working relationship with President Trump in her post, writing, "I have supported President Trump with too much of my precious time, too much of my own money, and fought harder for him even when almost all other Republicans turned their back and denounced him."

"But I don’t worship or serve Donald Trump," Greene wrote. "I worship God, Jesus is my savior, and I serve my district GA14 and the American people."

After touting his administration's accomplishment since the beginning of his second term this January, the president quipped, "having created the "HOTTEST"  Country anywhere in the World from being a DEAD Country just 12 months ago (and so much more!), all I see "Wacky" Marjorie do is COMPLAIN, COMPLAIN, COMPLAIN!"

Trump’s move could open the door for Georgia Republicans seeking to challenge Greene next year in her ruby-red district. 

The White House did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital's request for comment.

Fmr House impeachment lawyer gets clearer path to House seat, as Dem primary opponent declines third party bid

Posted on by Ronn Blitzer
New York Assemblywoman Yuh-Line Niou announced she will not run on the Working Families Party line to oppose Democrat Daniel Goldman in November's 10th District election

Trump announces ‘endorsement’ of impeachment manager, other New York Democrats in sarcastic posts

Posted on by Thomas Phippen
Former President Donald Trump dropped a surprising "endorsement" in New York's Democratic primary Tuesday, joking that Dan Goldman was "honorable, fair, and highly intelligent."

With Cheney out, Trump has purged most pro-impeachment House Republicans from GOP

Posted on by Thomas Phippen
The defeat of most House Republicans who voted to impeach Trump indicates how much a GOP politician can be critical of the former president and survive.

Last pro-impeachment Republican faces almost certain defeat. How did the others fare in GOP primaries?

Posted on by Thomas Phippen
Ten GOP House members voted to impeach former President Trump, and many have lost their Republican primaries, with Rep. Liz Cheney facing voters Tuesday.

Last pro-impeachment Republican faces almost certain defeat. How did the others fare in GOP primaries?

Posted on by Thomas Phippen
Ten GOP House members voted to impeach former President Trump, and many have lost their Republican primaries, with Rep. Liz Cheney facing voters Tuesday.