AGP Executive Report

Midterm Fallout: Democrats won control of both chambers of Congress in a sweeping rebuke of President Trump, setting up new oversight of his administration when the new Congress convenes in January. Florida: Republican Byron Donalds defeated Democrat David Jolly to become the state’s first Black governor, winning 50.1% of the vote. Trump’s Arch: A federal judge temporarily blocked construction of Trump’s proposed Arlington triumphal arch, hours after a federal commission approved it; the order pauses work for 14 days. Justice Department: Harmeet Dhillon resigned as head of the DOJ’s Civil Rights Division two days after the election, saying she had planned to leave before the results. Iran War: Trump says he would launch strikes again if needed, even as the conflict’s rising costs and fuel prices weigh on families and his party faces a midterm backlash.

Midterm Shock: Democrats won control of both the House and Senate, delivering a sweeping rebuke to President Donald Trump and Republicans. Voters’ concerns included high prices, the Iran war and government corruption. State-Level Shifts: Democrats scored major wins in Texas and other states, while voters backed abortion rights and rejected Trump-backed redistricting in ballot measures. Washington Fallout: House Republicans are preparing to counter expected Democratic investigations and subpoenas when the new Congress takes power. Flooding: Heavy rain linked to a powerful El Niño has caused serious flooding in parts of Colorado and Florida, washing out roads and inundating homes. Public Health: Wisconsin reported its first measles death in decades, among three U.S. measles deaths reported this week.

Midterm Upheaval: Democrats won control of both chambers of Congress in a sweeping rebuke of President Donald Trump, with voters frustrated by high prices and the Iran war. Keisha Lance Bottoms became the first Black woman elected governor, in Georgia, while Deb Haaland made history as the first Native American woman elected to a state’s top office. Market Reaction: Stocks surged after the results, while oil prices tumbled on hopes of easing Middle East tensions; Vice President JD Vance blamed the war for Republican losses. New Jersey Jackpot: A single ticket won Powerball’s $847 million jackpot, the game’s ninth-largest prize. Fast-Food Prices: McDonald’s plans to roll out new value meal bundles next year after U.S. restaurant traffic fell in the third quarter.

Midterm Shake-up: Democrats swept control of the House and Senate, flipping seven Senate seats and key races across the country. Voters cited affordability and dissatisfaction with President Donald Trump’s policies; Trump acknowledged the Iran war pushed up gas prices but said he would strike again. Political Map: Republican redistricting efforts failed to prevent the Democratic wave, which also brought major state-level wins, including a Democratic governor in Georgia. Trump’s Response: Vice President JD Vance sought distance from the Iran policy after the losses, while Trump warned that impeachment would hurt Democrats. Public Safety: A domestic violence shooting in Washington state left two people and the suspect dead, with two sheriff’s deputies critically wounded.

Congressional Shift: Democrats captured both chambers in a sweeping midterm rebuke of President Donald Trump, with voters citing high prices, the Iran war and concerns about corruption. Party leaders say they’ll push affordability measures and investigate the administration; Trump congratulated Democrats but warned he would veto bills he opposes. Election Disputes: The Justice Department asked the Supreme Court to require California to set aside ballots from suspected noncitizen voters, a last-minute challenge after more than 5 million mail ballots had been cast. State and local officials warned they could not quickly identify the ballots. Redistricting Backfire: Texas Republicans’ effort to flip five House seats fell short as Democrats won several targeted districts, including one held by Republican Monica De La Cruz. Senate Milestones: Democrat Abdul El-Sayed won Michigan’s Senate race, becoming the first Muslim elected to the chamber; in Maine, Troy Jackson unseated Republican Susan Collins.

Midterm Elections: Americans are voting in high-stakes races that could shift control of Congress, with cost-of-living concerns shaping campaigns. For the first time, the Justice Department has deployed about 1,000 monitors across all 50 states. Voting Disruptions: Westchester County, N.Y., says some polling-place machines are rejecting paper ballots because of an election-programming error. Ballot Fight: The Supreme Court rejected the administration’s bid to block California from counting mail ballots. Iran Conflict: U.S. forces struck targets on Iran’s Qeshm Island, which officials described as defensive after Iranian fire near the Strait of Hormuz; Trump has also spoken of a possible deal. Israel Aid: Trump says the U.S. will end its annual $4 billion in aid to Israel by year’s end, while continuing arms sales.

Midterm Elections: Voters are choosing governors, lawmakers and members of Congress in races that will decide control of the House and Senate and test President Trump’s agenda. Michigan’s open Senate seat and a surprisingly close South Carolina contest are among the races to watch; results may take days. Iran Conflict: U.S. forces struck Iranian targets on Qeshm Island after an attack on a U.S. aircraft, while Trump and Vice President JD Vance signaled progress in talks to avoid renewed war. Voting Rights: The Supreme Court rejected the Trump administration’s bid to set aside 20,000 California ballots, a setback for its election challenge. The DOJ is also deploying federal observers to polling places across the country. Public Health: A child in northern New York has died of measles, the state’s first such death in 30 years, as U.S. cases have climbed above last year’s record.

Midterm Showdown: President Donald Trump used his final campaign appearance to promote the troubled Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool renovation, while Democrats focused on affordability and Republicans fought to keep control of Congress. The Justice Department has asked the Supreme Court to set aside about 20,000 California mail ballots it says may have come from noncitizens; a federal judge rejected a similar request, citing concerns about disrupting the election. Legal Fallout: A judge dismissed a criminal complaint against two former FBI officials, calling the probe politically driven and rushed. Prosecutors could still seek an indictment. Iran and Markets: Trump said a deal to end the war with Iran could be near as oil prices fell sharply, but reports say Israeli officials are pressing for renewed strikes. U.S. stocks wavered amid uncertainty over the conflict and concerns about Big Tech’s AI spending. Health Costs: An Alabama family says its private insurance premium is set to top $51,000 a year, while the Trump administration announced $233.6 million in rural health funding for California shortly before Election Day.

Election Eve: Voters head to the polls Tuesday as Democrats are favored to retake the House, while control of the Senate remains uncertain. Trump made a final campaign push in Iowa, and a federal judge rejected his administration’s bid to block Alaska’s Senate results if Republican Dan Sullivan loses. Trump Arch: Virginia and Washington, D.C., sued to halt construction of Trump’s proposed 250-foot memorial arch, arguing it could cause lasting harm; a judge is weighing whether to pause work. Iran Tensions: Tehran warned a renewed war could last longer after Trump threatened more strikes, while reports say Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu urged action after the election. Farm Aid: Trump’s administration pledged $15 billion for farmers facing higher fuel and fertilizer costs, weeks before the vote. Canada Trade: Trump and Prime Minister Mark Carney said talks had made progress, but Carney says he won’t accept a deal on unfavorable terms. New York: Trump agreed to grant a visa to the mother of a 15-year-old shot dead in the Bronx so she can attend his funeral, Mayor Zohran Mamdani said.

Alaska Election Fight: A federal judge threw out the Justice Department’s bid to block certification of the Senate race if Republican Dan Sullivan loses, citing an unworkable plan and risks to ballot secrecy. DOJ plans to appeal. Senate Stakes: Michigan Democrat Haley Stevens stunned her party by endorsing Republican Mike Rogers over Abdul El-Sayed, while Kansas’s race shifted to a toss-up and drew a late Trump visit. More than 52.8 million voters have already cast early ballots. Farm Aid: The Trump administration has pledged $15 billion in support for farmers facing higher fuel and fertilizer costs, making a late push in competitive rural states. Iran Tensions: Trump has signaled possible further strikes as Tehran warns of retaliation; diplomatic efforts continue through mediators.

Iran Tensions: President Donald Trump said the U.S. may still strike one or two Iranian sites, including the suspected Pickaxe Mountain facility, even as he described negotiations as progressing. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said no decision has been made on further attacks. Election Disputes: With midterms days away, courts have pushed back on Trump administration efforts targeting voter rolls and ballots. California officials say many names on a federal list of alleged noncitizen voters are not registered voters, while a criminal probe into Alaska’s Senate race has widened. Trump Lawsuit: A federal judge dismissed Trump’s $10 billion defamation suit against The Wall Street Journal and Rupert Murdoch with prejudice, ruling he failed to show actual malice. Virginia and D.C.: The two jurisdictions sued to block Trump’s proposed triumphal arch, adding another legal challenge as the administration seeks to begin construction. Shipbuilding: Hanwha Philly Shipyard won a roughly $269 million contract to build a landing ship for the U.S. Navy, its first naval vessel deal since Hanwha acquired the Philadelphia yard.

Election Battles: Courts are pushing back against the Trump administration’s efforts to set aside ballots in Washington and California over alleged noncitizen voting. A UCLA review found 42% of names on the California list weren’t on state voter rolls and identified U.S. citizens among those flagged. Alaska Senate Probe: Alaska’s Republican-led government urged a judge to dismiss the DOJ’s bid to isolate ballots in the race, calling the case meritless; the FBI is also questioning donors to a same-name candidate. Trump Lawsuit: A federal judge dismissed Trump’s defamation suit against The Wall Street Journal over its report on a letter linked to Jeffrey Epstein, ruling the claims failed to show actual malice. Public Safety: One person was killed and six injured in a shooting at a California shopping mall. Immigration: The administration is preparing to send Afghan refugees to Pakistan, despite concerns they could be returned to Taliban-controlled Afghanistan.

Midterm Election: Early voting is underway as control of the House hangs on a handful of tight races. A federal judge barred the Trump administration from threatening election workers with prosecution over ballots tied to suspected noncitizens, citing likely voter-intimidation violations. Markets: U.S. tech stocks plunged as investors questioned whether costly AI investments will pay off, wiping about $2 trillion from the Nasdaq-100’s market value near October’s end. National Security: The Air Force returned fighters to alert status in Alaska’s Aleutian Islands for the first time since the 1990s, underscoring growing military competition in the North Pacific and Arctic. Border Policy: AI surveillance towers are expanding along the U.S.-Mexico border, raising privacy concerns for millions of people living nearby. California Shooting: One person was killed and six injured in a shooting at a shopping mall.

Election Fight: A federal appeals court again rejected the Trump administration’s bid to set aside about 20,000 California ballots flagged as potentially cast by noncitizens. The DOJ is expected to appeal, while the administration says it contacted five states over voter eligibility and reminded all states to preserve election records. Midterm Stakes: With voting set for Tuesday, turnout is high and the economy is a leading concern. Gas averaged $4.12 a gallon on Oct. 26, up sharply since the U.S.-Iran conflict began; nearly three-quarters of Americans say energy prices worry them. Economy and Energy: U.S. GDP grew at a 3.4% annual rate in the third quarter, powered by consumer spending and AI investment. Exxon and Chevron also reported sharply higher profits as the conflict lifted oil prices, putting energy costs and corporate gains in the midterm spotlight. Immigration: Tennessee immigrant advocates and six residents sued to block new state rules denying driver’s licenses to immigrants legally authorized to work, arguing the changes were made without proper public process.

Election Fight: The Trump administration is seeking to stop Alaska from certifying its Senate results if Republican Dan Sullivan loses, alleging a similar-named candidate could confuse voters. The candidates deny wrongdoing, and the state disputes federal authority to intervene. Midterm Stakes: With Election Day Tuesday, affordability is a top concern as voters face rising inflation and energy costs. Ohio’s congressional races could shift the state’s delegation, while early voting is underway in Tennessee. Iran Tensions: U.S. officials have warned allies of possible strikes after the election, as the Pentagon weighs military options. The war has cost an estimated $47 billion, according to the Pentagon. Energy: The Nuclear Regulatory Commission accepted General Matter’s first license application for a planned Paducah, Kentucky, fuel facility, starting its formal review. Oregon: Three people died when two helicopters collided, according to reports.

Puerto Rico Power: Electricity costs rose 37% from fiscal 2021 to 2026, outpacing the U.S. increase of 30%, a University of Puerto Rico study found. Separately, Puerto Rico signed a DARPA partnership to strengthen cybersecurity for critical infrastructure. Election Fight: With midterms days away, a federal judge rejected the Justice Department’s bid to set aside 20,000 California ballots, citing state control over elections. Trump also canceled a planned Kansas rally for Sen. Roger Marshall as close races draw his attention. Economy: The Federal Reserve held rates steady as September inflation ticked up: its preferred PCE measure rose 3.6% year over year, while third-quarter growth was strong. Health Care: A federal judge blocked part of the administration’s Medicaid guidance requiring some chronically ill recipients to prove their conditions impede work before qualifying for exemptions. Immigration Backlash: Polling suggests disapproval of Trump’s deportation drive is growing, potentially complicating Republicans’ efforts to hold Congress.