From Ilhan Omar to Ken Paxton: 5 scandals shaking up the midterms

Minnesota Democratic Rep Ilhan Omar is facing renewed scrutiny over allegations involving her immigration and citizenship records. Federal agents reportedly searched her Washington, DC, home in October as part of an investigation into decades-old paperwork. Omar has not been charged with a crime and has denounced the investigation as an attempt to weaponize federal law enforcement. With the November 3 midterms approaching, the controversy has placed the outspoken Trump critic back in the political spotlight.

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton is no stranger to controversy. He was impeached by the Republican-controlled Texas House in 2023 over allegations including abuse of office, but was subsequently acquitted by the state Senate. Earlier securities fraud charges were dismissed following a pretrial agreement. Paxton has also faced allegations of infidelity, which he has denied. Now the Republican Senate nominee, he faces Democrat James Talarico in a race where questions about character and corruption have become major campaign issues.

Ohio Republican Rep Max Miller is seeking reelection amid allegations of domestic misconduct made by his former wife, Emily Moreno, the daughter of Republican Sen. Bernie Moreno. Miller has denied the accusations, and the House Ethics Committee announced an investigation in August. The controversy has complicated his campaign in Ohio's 7th Congressional District, a seat Republicans had previously considered relatively secure. With Democrats hoping to capitalize on the allegations, Miller's race has become a test of whether personal controversies can sway voters.

Texas Democratic Rep Henry Cuellar received a presidential pardon from Donald Trump after facing federal bribery and money-laundering charges. The charges stemmed from allegations that Cuellar and his wife accepted payments from foreign-linked entities in exchange for political influence. Cuellar denied wrongdoing. The pardon produced an unusual political twist when Trump publicly expressed frustration that Cuellar had remained a Democrat rather than switching parties. Cuellar is now seeking another term in Congress, making his case an extraordinary intersection of legal controversy, presidential power and partisan loyalty.

New Jersey Democratic Rep LaMonica McIver faces federal charges stemming from a confrontation with law enforcement officers outside an immigration detention facility in Newark in May 2025. Prosecutors allege that McIver assaulted officers during the incident. She has denied wrongdoing and argued that she was carrying out congressional oversight duties. In August 2026, a federal appeals court ruled that the prosecution could proceed. The case has become part of a wider political dispute over immigration enforcement and the Trump administration's treatment of Democratic critics.

From impeachment proceedings and criminal investigations to personal allegations and presidential pardons, the controversies surrounding these politicians have added another dimension to the 2026 midterms. Some races that once appeared relatively safe have become more competitive, raising questions about whether voters are willing to cross party lines over concerns about a candidate's conduct. But political loyalty remains powerful. As Americans prepare to vote on November 3, the election could reveal whether scandal still carries an electoral price — or whether party allegiance matters more.