Virginia Republican state senator Bryce Reeves has dropped out of the race for Sen. Mark Warner’s (D-VA) seat in 2026 because of a serious family health problem that keeps him in the state. Instead, he will run for re-election to the state Senate, where he represents the 28th District.
“Today, after thinking and praying about it and talking to my family, I am dropping out of the race for the U.S. Senate.” I need to be fully present at home because of a serious health issue in the family and the fact that time is of the essence. Reeves wrote on X Sunday, “My faith and my family come first.”
He went on to say, “My work in the General Assembly continues to protect our AAA bond rating, make our economy stronger, and make sure Virginia stays the best place in America for our military and veterans.”
Reeves dropping out of the race means that Warner, who is running for a fourth term, doesn’t have a strong opponent in the Republican Party. But the GOP is also having trouble winning elections in Virginia after big losses in the midterm elections in November, when the state turned more blue.
Nancy Pelosi, a Democrat from California who is leaving office, said she thinks the Democrats will win back the House in the midterm elections next November. In an interview with Jonathan Karl that aired on ABC News’ This Week on Sunday, the former House speaker and longtime Democratic leader said that she thinks a Democratic takeover is more about timing than it is about being possible.
Karl said, “So if the Democrats win the House back.” “No, no, when?” Pelosi cut in. “When the Democrats take back the House.”
She then supported House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries in his bid to become Speaker of the House. She said, “Hakeem Jeffries is ready, he speaks well, the members respect him, and he brings people together.”
The Hill said that Democrats need to win three seats back in order to take back control of the chamber.
The Cook Political Report’s most recent prediction says that 17 House races are currently “toss-ups” as we head into the elections next fall. Republicans hold 12 of those seats.
The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee is focusing on 40 districts that it thinks could be good places to win seats in the 2026 midterms.
Democrats are feeling more hopeful about their chances in the midterms after winning a number of off-year elections last month in New Jersey, Virginia, and New York City. Candidates promised to lower the cost of living during their campaigns.
The current rate of inflation is 2.7%, down from about 3% at the start of the year but still higher than the Federal Reserve’s target of 2%. At the same time, voters, even some in Trump’s own political base, have been worried about the economy, which Democrats say could change the political landscape in 2026.
That being said, Trump’s approval rating is starting to go up again, and last week his chief of staff, Suzie Wiles, said that he will probably hit the campaign trail for GOP candidates to get more people to vote.
Prices for many everyday things that people buy are also starting to go down, with gasoline and eggs being the most noticeable. When energy prices go down, food, electricity, and housing costs usually go down as well. This would be good news for the president and his party as the elections approach.
Trump has also suggested that the GOP hold a convention in early fall. He thinks this will give him and the GOP a chance to show off what they’ve done and get people excited about voting. Since then, Democrats have said they are also thinking about having a convention.
Democrats also have a big problem with popularity. The party’s overall approval rating has been going down since last year’s presidential election, but new information shows that it’s even worse now.
Last week, CNN’s main data analyst said that the Democratic Party’s approval rating is at an all-time low, and pollsters say that congressional Democrats are in their worst position ever.
This article may contain commentary which reflects the author's opinion.
