Musk spends millions in record midterm
Over 57 million Americans have already voted in a race projected to cost $11.9 billion.
By Zara Ahmed ·
More than 57 million Americans cast their ballots before Election Day, according to the University of Florida Election Lab. This number exceeds the 46 million early votes recorded in the 2022 midterms. The University data indicates a surge in early participation for the November 3 vote.
The 2026 midterm cycle is tracking to become the most expensive in US history. OpenSecrets, a nonpartisan watchdog, estimates total spending will reach $11.9 billion. Elon Musk has already deployed approximately $366 million to support Republican candidates, based on campaign finance records from three weeks ago.
Voters will choose members of the House of Representatives and the Senate, along with governors in multiple states. Democrats currently trail in both chambers and need a net gain of four seats to claim control. Republicans hold a 218-214 majority in the House and a 53-47 majority in the Senate. Twelve Senate races in states such as Kansas and Texas could determine the final balance of power.
President Donald Trump's approval rating sits at 32%, per Reuters/Ipsos polling. This near-record low may influence how voters perceive the administration's handling of rising consumer prices. The University of Florida Election Lab reports that Democrats show higher enthusiasm for voting than Republicans this year. Some Latino voters who supported Trump in 2024 may return to the Democratic column due to economic and immigration concerns.
Historical patterns suggest midterms often penalize the party controlling the White House. Republicans gained 63 House seats in 2010 during President Barack Obama's tenure. Democrats recouped 40 House seats in 2018 while President Trump held office. This year also features gubernatorial contests in 36 states and races for state legislative seats across the country.
If Democrats seize the House, Representative Hakeem Jeffries of New York is the leading candidate for speaker. He would become the first Black American to hold that position. Jeffries has stated that Democrats would investigate what he calls unprecedented levels of corruption in the Trump administration. He also plans to prioritize legislative efforts to lower costs for healthcare, groceries, and housing.
Key House races include Republican Mike Lawler's bid for reelection in a New York district that Kamala Harris won in 2024. An open seat in a Nebraska swing district is also drawing attention as fuel prices rise for local farmers and truckers. State election officials are preparing for potential legal challenges should the Trump administration attempt to intervene in the state-administered elections.
Source: The Jerusalem Post
