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Country reports

U.S. Midterms 2026: From Campaign Messages to the Ballot Box

by Dr. Hardy Ostry, Chiara Stäbler
Before the 2026 U.S. midterm elections, Republicans and Democrats are pursuing different paths to securing a majority. Republicans are campaigning on tax relief measures while warning voters about the consequences of their political opponents' policies. Democrats, meanwhile, are linking rising living costs to their call for stronger oversight and accountability in Washington. At the same time, allegations of corruption and conflicts of interest are becoming more prominent in several closely contested races. Both parties face the same challenge: reaching voters who often engage with politics only casually. As campaigning increasingly takes place through television advertisements, short-form videos, and AI-generated search results, election strategies are evolving as well.

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Contact Dr. Hardy Ostry
Dr. Hardy Ostry
Head of the Washington, D.C. office
hardy.ostry@kas.de

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