A jam-packed election week
Nicole FallertHi there On Politics readers! Nicole Fallert here with Monday's rundown on the news to know from Washington.
Tomorrow will be full of elections across the country
This week is set to be one of the busiest — and potentially most consequential — of the 2026 election cycle yet.
Across six states, Americans will vote in U.S. House, Senate and gubernatorial races, among other local contests. The elections headline a jam-packed month of races and are set to select candidates to vie for positions in Washington and state government in November's midterms. These elections come as Republicans aim to hold on to narrow majorities in both chambers of Congress, and President Donald Trump takes steps to purge GOP opponents. Here are the races happening on May 19 and some standout contests to watch.
Meanwhile, multiple election officials have told USA TODAY they are readying in case Trump's threats of federal involvement in the midterm elections come to fruition. For the first time, they are preparing legal and law enforcement action they might take if National Guard troops or immigration officials are sent to polling sites or if federal agents demand access to ballots or election machines, regardless of whether these interventions violate state law.
A politics roundup:
- Trump's approval rating sank to a new low in amid Iran war
- USPS faces a financial crisis, pauses pensions and raises prices
- After pharmaceutical companies try to block Medicare drug discounts, the Supreme Court weighs in
- 1965 or 2026? Southerners march for voting rights in Selma, Alabama.
Some Republicans eye exit from Capitol Hill
Greg Gianforte, the chair of the Republican Governors Association, is the man leading the GOP's crusade to occupy more state governors' mansions. In an exclusive USA TODAY interview, Gianforte said it's not lost on him how tough it can be to pass laws at the federal level. But when it comes to embracing those policies, or blunting their impacts, the buck stops in state capitals, Gianforte said.
"Whatever kind of crazy we have in Washington, DC, it's the state administrations that are like the last barrier to crazy," he said.
Trump warns Iran that 'clock is ticking'
Oil prices rose on Monday as Trump warned Iran that the "clock is ticking" following a drone strike on a nuclear power plant in the United Arab Emirates. The strike raised fears of renewed conflict as talks between Washington and Tehran stall. Follow Monday's updates on the war in Iran live with USA TODAY.
Before you go
Looking for a clear, monthly roadmap to the 2026 midterms? Our new election guide Reddit thread tracks key primaries plus all the resources you may need as a voter (registration, deadlines, ID rules, absentee and mail voting, and more). Catch the May update with local USA TODAY Network reporting and bookmark the guide for future editions.
💬We also want to hear from you! What questions do you have for our team as we get closer to November? Is there a race you’re watching closely? Let us know by jumping in the comments on Reddit or responding to this newsletter.
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