Inside Elections

2026 Senate Ratings (February 20, 2025)

February 20, 2025 · 2:25 PM EST

Minnesota Senate: Smith Decision Creates Open Seat

February 13, 2025 · 2:24 PM EST

DFL Sen. Tina Smith announced Thursday that she won’t seek re-election in 2026, creating an open seat that could become more competitive next year. 

While Republicans are expressing initial confidence in the takeover opportunity, the GOP’s track record in Minnesota is not good. Republicans have…

2026 Senate Ratings (February 13, 2025)

February 13, 2025 · 2:23 PM EST

Podcast Episode 40: Top Governors Races and Ratings w/ Jessica Taylor of The Cook Political Report

February 13, 2025 · 1:08 PM EST

Nathan Gonzales, Jacob Rubashkin, and Jessica Taylor of The Cook Political Report with Amy Walter analyze the top three biggest races for governor in the 2026 cycle, the three most difficult races to rate at this early stage, and what’s ahead for the 2025 races for governor in Virginia and New…

2026 Gubernatorial Overview (Feb. 6, 2025): Beyond the Beltway

February 6, 2025 · 2:30 PM EST

By Jacob Rubashkin & Nathan L. Gonzales

The biggest potential for turnover in the 2026 midterms isn’t in Congress. It’s not even in Washington, DC, but in the states hosting 38 gubernatorial races over the next two years, including at least 14 open seats. 

The 36 races taking place in 2026 are…

2026 Gubernatorial Overview (Feb. 6, 2025): Alabama - Illinois

February 6, 2025 · 2:29 PM EST

ALABAMA. Open; Kay Ivey (R), term-limited. Lt. Gov. Will Ainsworth appears the likeliest to run out of a deep bench of Alabama Republicans that also includes state Agriculture Commissioner Rick Pate, former state Secretary of State John Merrill, and former Veterans Affairs commissioner Kent Davis.…

2026 Gubernatorial Overview (Feb. 6, 2025): Iowa - New Mexico

February 6, 2025 · 2:28 PM EST

IOWA. Kim Reynolds (R), assumed office 2017, elected 2018 (50.3%), 2022 (58%). Reynolds hasn’t said if she’s running for re-election though former state Rep. Brad Sherman has said he’ll challenge her for the nomination from her right flank. Reynolds reported raising $1.8 million over 2024. State…

2026 Gubernatorial Overview (Feb. 6, 2025): New York - Wyoming

February 6, 2025 · 2:27 PM EST

NEW YORK. Kathy Hochul, assumed office August 2021, elected 2022 (52%). Hochul escaped an upset loss to Rep. Lee Zeldin in 2022 but remains in a difficult political position after 2024, a mixed bag of a year for New York Democrats that saw Trump make significant gains but Democrats also flip three…

Report Shorts (Feb. 6, 2025)

February 6, 2025 · 2:26 PM EST

Arizona’s 6th District. Democratic single-mom/retired Marine JoAnna “Jo” Mendoza announced her challenge to GOP Rep. Juan Ciscomani in a competitive, suburban district  southeast of Phoenix. Ciscomani won re-election by 2.5 points in one of the most competitive races in the country with help from…

2025-26 Gubernatorial Ratings (February 6, 2025)

February 6, 2025 · 2:24 PM EST