From the Texas battle for U.S. Senate to who's running to be the state's next governor, here are the key races — and candidates — to be watching as we head into 2026.

National Democrats are adding the Iowa House and Senate to their 2026 target map, citing recent over-performance in special elections and new opportunities to cut into GOP control in Des Moines.

The House on Wednesday evening approved the annual National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), sending the mammoth bill to the Senate for approval.  Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) corralled lawmakers

Former Rep. Colin Allred is ending his U.S. Senate campaign in Texas and instead will attempt a House comeback bid, potentially paving the way for Rep. Jasmine Crockett to become the early favorite for Democrats' nomination in a state they have long hoped to make more competitive.

Allred said in a statement that "a bruising Senate Democratic primary and runoff" would endanger the party's chances of winning the Senate race.

The House voted 231‑195 to pass the Protect America’s Workforce Act, bipartisan legislation to repeal two executive orders that removed collective bargaining rights for most federal employees.

Through an arcane section of state law, the Republican-controlled state House scrapped hundreds of millions in ongoing spending on state projects. Democrats called the process ‘corrupt.’

The House and Senate swore in two new members Tuesday, with Del. Kevin Anderson (R-Lower Shore) and Sen. Kevin Harris (D-Calvert, Charles and Prince George's) being seated just in time for a special legislative session next week.

Sen. Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., said Democrats will force a vote on a bill that he described as a “clean” three-year extension of the enhanced ACA credits that first passed as part of the American Rescue Plan Act in 2021, and capping premiums for an average marketplace plan to 8.5% of income.

The zombie issue of a federal AI moratorium, for now, was put to bed in the National Defense Authorization Act, a key win for a handful of Senate Republicans.