Midterms 2026: From spoiler candidate to Stevens ditching El-Sayed, all the surprises and twists
WASHINGTON, DC: Although there’s no national opening time and voting hours fluctuate by county, precinct size, or local municipality rules, polls open for Election Day in the 2026 midterms on Tuesday, November 3.
Many serious issues such as the Iran war, US aid to Israel and economic performance dominated the campaigns of both sides, with polls showing Americans worried about rising living costs and affordability.
However, alongside the battle of real issues, the midterm campaign was marked by several surprises and eye-catching showdowns, with some expected to prove more consequential than others.
Here are some of the biggest campaign surprises that can have a lasting impact on voters and could potentially affect their voting decisions.
Mary Peltola's campaign accused of recruiting second Dan Sullivan
An allegation that Alaska Democratic candidate Mary Peltola’s campaign tried to plant a spoiler Senate candidate in the race with a similar name to GOP incumbent Dan Sullivan to confuse voters and affect the rep candidate’s ranking left voters and political observers taken aback.
Peltola has denied knowing anything about such an attempt by her campaign and has labeled the story “another distraction” and “another diversion” from real issues.
But it is also worth noting that the New York Times investigative report drew partly on interviews with Peltola’s fired former campaign manager.
The race is rated a toss-up, so even a small shift could decide it.
Obama's Cheesecake Factory episode
The popular restaurant chain entered the midterm campaign when former President Barack Obama criticized President Donald Trump’s renovation of the White House, stating, "He’s got the White House looking like Saddam Hussein opened a Cheesecake Factory."
Republicans hit back against Obama, arguing that his statement was an insult to a popular, affordable American restaurant chain frequented by working-and-middle-class people.
Supporters and Trump officials also accused Obama of elitism.
However, Trump’s attempt to tap into middle-class concerns over affordability appeared to backfire when he said at a Texas rally that his proposed $5,000 campaign-promised checks would barely buy a burger and dessert at Mar-a-Lago.
Trump's praise for GOP candidates' physiques
Trump’s praise for GOP Senator Jon Husted’s rear view and comment on Texas candidate Ken Paxton’s looks left the audience scratching their head.
Throughout his October campaign rally blitz, Trump repeatedly praised GOP lawmakers’ and candidates’ looks, including Sens Tim Sheehy and Bill Hagerty.
“His a** is like, it’s like a pile of muscle,” the president said in North Carolina.
Vice President JD Vance joked that he was jealous of the attention.
Not all of Trump’s endorsees have received the praise that Husted has been showered with.
At the GOP’s September convention in Dallas, Trump told voters that Ken Paxton "may not be the best-looking guy I’ve ever seen" but urged them to back him anyway.
Dem Haley Stevens ditches Abdul El-Sayed in last-minute move
The biggest shakeup came only two days before the midterm polls.
A day after praising Abdul El-Sayed for denouncing an ad that blamed US aid to Israel for the rising cost of living in the nation, Haley Stevens appeared with Trump-backed Republican Mike Rogers at a Detroit church Sunday and endorsed him.
El-Sayed’s campaign had asked her to stay away from its final events.
Her fiancé had already said he would vote for Rogers, but Stevens’ own endorsement is likely to draw far more attention.
It remains to be seen whether Stevens’ move will hurt El-Sayed’s chance to become the first Muslim Senator of America or will simply backfire on her by distancing her from Democrats.
GOP problems in South Carolina and New Hampshire
Michigan is not the only example of intraparty clash this midterm. Republicans have their own rifts in South Carolina and New Hampshire.
In South Carolina, GOP Rep Ralph Norman continues to criticize his primary loss to appointed Sen Darline Graham, repeatedly saying voters “deserve better” and pointing to her lack of experience.
In New Hampshire, former GOP Sen John E Sununu has fielded questions about confusion with his brother, former Gov Chris Sununu, who is reportedly more popular among voters.
Chris Sununu joked that Republicans would be “up by 30 points” if voters thought he was the one running. John Sununu did not agree, responding, “I love my brother, but he’s totally wrong.”
