{"id":2640107,"date":"2026-08-04T06:26:01","date_gmt":"2026-08-04T10:26:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/midterm-countdown-republicans-get-a-glimmer-of-hope\/"},"modified":"2026-08-04T06:28:54","modified_gmt":"2026-08-04T10:28:54","slug":"midterm-countdown-republicans-get-a-glimmer-of-hope","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/midterm-countdown-republicans-get-a-glimmer-of-hope\/","title":{"rendered":"Midterm Countdown: Republicans get a glimmer of hope"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"&quot;\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">16<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Fmidterm-countdown-republicans-get-a-glimmer-of-hope%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2640107&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>The article discusses the evolving outlook for the 2026 midterm elections in the U.S., highlighting increased Republican optimism, especially after favorable redistricting outcomes that created more seats likely to favor Trump and Republicans. Historically, the party in the white House tends to suffer losses, but recent redistricting has improved GOP chances. Democrats aim to leverage issues like affordability and corruption, with some leaders focusing on messaging around fighting inflation, lowering costs, and fighting Biden&#8217;s and Trump\u2019s perceived misconduct. Simultaneously occurring, the Democratic progressive wing has gained influence, with socialist-backed candidates winning primaries, though their broader appeal remains uncertain among general voters.political analysts note that while primary successes may boost the Democrats\u2019 prospects, general election challenges such as public perceptions of socialism and high costs could influence outcomes. Prediction markets currently give Democrats a high chance of regaining control of the House and a good shot at winning the Senate, although some experts remain cautious about the GOP&#8217;s potential, especially in close races and key districts. both parties face important hurdles and opportunities as they approach the 2026 election cycle.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<article class=\"fn-body\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em>This story is part of a series of monthly snapshots from the <\/em>Washington Examiner<em>, titled <\/em><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/congressional\/4547563\/midterm-countdown-democrats-lead-gop-path-through\/\"><strong><em>Midterm Countdown<\/em><\/strong><\/a><em>, gauging the state of the 2026 election cycle. Scroll down to the bottom of the story for the latest prediction market odds of who is going to win.<\/em><\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/republicans\/\">Republican<\/a> optimism about winning the 2026 <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/midterms\/\">midterm elections<\/a> has grown in recent weeks. <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/democrats\/\">Democrats<\/a> need to net just three seats to retake the majority, and the party controlling the White House typically suffers major losses in midterm elections.<\/p>\n<section class=\"explore-more-section\" id=\"wex-recommended-widget\">\n<div class=\"magazine-container single\">\n<h1 class=\"magazine-title mt-2\">Recommended Stories<\/h1>\n<p>             <i class=\"fa-solid fa-play icon\"><\/i>         <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-grid\">\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/congressional\/4673621\/midterm-countdown-august-2026\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>Midterm Countdown: Republicans get a glimmer of hope<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/congressional\/4673210\/dsa-founding-member-soviet-linked-communist-party\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>DSA founding member recalls working for Soviet-linked communist party<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/congressional\/4672781\/ohio-elections-jane-timken-wont-run-possible-max-miller-withdrawal\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>Ohio state Sen. Jane Timken rules out bid to replace Max Miller if he withdraws<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">But the GOP came out ahead after a yearlong slog of redistricting pursuits around the country. The remapping led to 14 new seats that President Donald Trump would have carried by at least 10 points, with six of those seats going to Trump by more than 15 points, according to an <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/congressional\/4663534\/house-republicans-strongest-position-ever-100-days-midterms\/\">analysis<\/a> from the National Republican Congressional Committee.<\/p>\n<div class=\"wex-inarticle-ad wex-inarticle-ad-art-dsk-inart-1\">\n<div class=\"wex-ad-wrap wex-ad-art-dsk-inart-1\" style=\"min-height:90px\"><span class=\"wex-ad-label\" hidden>Advertisement<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-3182201-15\" data-wex-ad=\"art-dsk-inart-1\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"article-paywall\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">By comparison, in 2018, when Democrats flipped 40 House seats on their way to the majority, they won only five out of 176 seats that Trump carried by more than 10 points. That\u2019s fewer than 3% of the seats Trump won by double digits.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\">Midterm Countdown Graphic (WEX)<\/p>\n<p>&#8221; data-image-caption=&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>Midterm Countdown graphic. (Washington Examiner)<\/p>\n<p>&#8221; data-large-file=&#8221;https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/\/2026\/08\/localimages\/1600&#215;900-MC1-e1777683864618.jpg?w=696&#8243; &#8220;https:><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Midterm Countdown graphic. (Washington Examiner)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The current House map has Republicans starting off closer to the 218 seats needed for a majority. The nonpartisan Cook Political Report rates 203 seats as safely or likely Republican, while only 194 are safely or likely Democrat. That means the 18 seats rated as toss-ups are all the more crucial for both parties. In 2018, Cook had 27 seats rated as toss-ups by August.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Beyond the favorable map, Republicans also see an opportunity in a string of socialist primary victories that they believe will provide a potent contrast heading into November.<\/p>\n<div class=\"wex-inarticle-ad wex-inarticle-ad-art-dsk-inart-2\">\n<div class=\"wex-ad-wrap wex-ad-art-dsk-inart-2\" style=\"min-height:90px\"><span class=\"wex-ad-label\" hidden>Advertisement<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-3182201-16\" data-wex-ad=\"art-dsk-inart-2\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cThe environment has shifted because House Democrats have spent the last several months lurching even further to the left while Republicans have continued building advantages where it matters: a more favorable map, record fundraising, stronger candidates, and a record of delivering on the issues voters care about. Democrats are consumed by socialism and infighting. Republicans are focused on growing the House majority,\u201d Mike Marinella, a spokesman for the NRCC, told the <em>Washington Examiner<\/em>.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">New York Republican strategist Jay Townsend said the rise of socialism in 2026 is like \u201chanding the GOP a football.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cSo they\u2019ll catch it, and they\u2019ll try and run with it,\u201d Townsend told the <em>Washington Examiner<\/em>. \u201cWill they score a touchdown with it? I think that remains to be seen, because the GOP has its own messaging problem.\u201d<\/p>\n<div class=\"wex-inarticle-ad wex-inarticle-ad-art-dsk-inart-3\">\n<div class=\"wex-ad-wrap wex-ad-art-dsk-inart-3\" style=\"min-height:90px\"><span class=\"wex-ad-label\" hidden>Advertisement<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-3182201-17\" data-wex-ad=\"art-dsk-inart-3\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The socialist surge may be giving Republicans a fighting chance, but some public opinion experts say it might not be enough if costs remain high come November.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cThe biggest thing that is going to determine where all this ends up is gas prices. \u2026\u00a0If you picture some extreme left candidates in swing states and gas prices top $5 a gallon, they\u2019re going to win,\u201d said RMG Research founder Scott Rasmussen, adding that the socialists would win in spite of their ideology and not because of it.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee dismissed the fact that Republicans might have reason to be optimistic about the midterm elections.<\/p>\n<div class=\"wex-inarticle-ad wex-inarticle-ad-art-dsk-inart-4\">\n<div class=\"wex-ad-wrap wex-ad-art-dsk-inart-4\" style=\"min-height:90px\"><span class=\"wex-ad-label\" hidden>Advertisement<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-3182201-25\" data-wex-ad=\"art-dsk-inart-4\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cBack on planet Earth, everything is too expensive, Americans are losing health care, Trump\u2019s unpopular war of choice continues, people are pissed at Republicans for their broken promises to lower costs, and voters are abandoning them at a staggering level. House Democrats have the message, momentum, better candidates and most importantly \u2014 the American people on our side. Taken together, it\u2019s going to power us back to the majority in November,\u201d DCCC spokesman Viet Shelton told the <em>Washington Examiner<\/em>.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Still, Republicans, facing historical headwinds, will have to convince voters to help them maintain their GOP trifecta amid low polling for Trump\u2019s administration and the Iran war.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cIs it going to be a good news week for the White House or a bad news week?\u201d Townsend told the <em>Washington Examiner<\/em>. \u201cWhat you do now is you kind of fill your ammunition bin, and I think Democrats know what theirs is. The GOP is looking for something offensive, and Democrats are about to give it to them.\u201d<\/p>\n<div class=\"wex-inarticle-ad wex-inarticle-ad-art-dsk-inart-5\">\n<div class=\"wex-ad-wrap wex-ad-art-dsk-inart-5\" style=\"min-height:90px\"><span class=\"wex-ad-label\" hidden>Advertisement<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-3182201-26\" data-wex-ad=\"art-dsk-inart-5\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<h2 id=\"h-do-the-democrats-have-a-message\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Do the Democrats have a message?<\/h2>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Democrats have grappled with their inability to coalesce on a message since their resounding defeat in 2024, and, two years later, the party is still on uneven footing. The rise of progressive candidates, who are running on tenets such as \u201cMedicare for all\u201d and increased taxes while the Democratic Socialists of America campaigns for an abolition of the Senate, has complicated Democrats\u2019 ability to find a cohesive and convincing message.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cDemocrats have these cohesion problems, and they also seem to be picking more candidates who don\u2019t really align with what the national leadership wants,\u201d said Kyle Kondik, managing editor of Sabato\u2019s Crystal Ball.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The rise of the socialist wing has complicated that effort, consuming much of the political oxygen inside the Democratic Party while pulling attention away from the affordability message party leaders want to emphasize.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) late last month kicked off his midterm sprint with a \u201cfighting for an affordable America\u201d agenda, unveiled in a battleground Pennsylvania district.\u00a0He highlighted his plan to extend Obamacare tax credits, repeal the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, and end the Trump administration\u2019s tariffs if Democrats win the midterm elections.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Democrats have said for months they want to litigate this election on affordability concerns, but their policies on lowering costs have yet to be fully defined. That said, a recent <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/world\/us\/democrats-lead-republicans-economy-trump-approval-falls-reutersipsos-poll-finds-2026-08-03\/\">poll<\/a> found Democrats leading Republicans by a point on the economy.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">At the same time, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) unveiled a new plan to \u201cexpose President Trump\u2019s rampant self-dealing, show how his corruption costs American families, and develop legislation to prevent presidents from using public office for personal profit,\u201d according to a press release. <\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The Democratic National Committee, which has been saddled with debt and unrest over Chairman Ken Martin\u2019s leadership, also pointed to Trump\u2019s corruption as central to the party\u2019s message.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cDonald Trump vowed to lower prices and end \u2018forever wars,\u2019 yet he has reneged on every promise while using the presidency as a cash-grab for himself and his wealthy donors,\u201d\u00a0DNC spokeswoman Kendall Witmer told the <em>Washington Examiner<\/em> in a statement. \u201cMeanwhile, Democrats are on the ground, organizing everywhere and meeting voters where they are by focusing on lowering costs, fighting corruption, and expanding access to healthcare. Voters are fed up with Trump and Republicans\u2019 billionaire-first agenda while everyday Americans struggle to make ends meet, and Democrats are ready to deliver real results for Americans when we retake the majority.\u201d<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"h-progressive-takeover-gives-gop-an-opening\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Progressive takeover gives GOP an opening<\/h2>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The political capital of the Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) wing of the Democratic Party has reached new heights this cycle.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The 2026 primaries have shown the left wing of the party split from the Democratic establishment, with candidates backed by the DSA ousting incumbent House members.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In June, candidates backed by socialist New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani ousted two incumbent House Democrats. In Colorado, longtime Rep. Diana DeGette lost to Sanders-backed Melat Kiros.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The biggest matchup will be on Tuesday, where progressive Abdul el Sayed will face off against Rep. Haley Stevens (D-MI) in Michigan\u2019s Democratic Senate primary. El Sayed has<a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/congressional\/4671147\/left-wing-candidates-flock-allies-campaign-trail-maximize-collective-influence\/\"> seen significant support<\/a> from socialists and progressive Democrats.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Stevens, meanwhile, is seen as the establishment pick, having the support of Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, South Carolina kingmaker Jim Clyburn (D-SC), former Sen. Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) and Sens. Gary Peters (D-MI) and Ruben Gallego (D-AZ).<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The Michigan race also highlights an emerging asymmetry inside the Democratic Party. The progressive wing has national stars who can fill arenas, dominate social media, and command news coverage. The establishment has endorsements, but far fewer personalities capable of generating the same enthusiasm.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Sanders and Ocasio-Cortez have become the party\u2019s most recognizable surrogates for progressive candidates, while establishment Democrats have increasingly relied on governors, sitting senators, and longtime party leaders like the 86-year-old Rep. Jim Clyburn (D-SC). Former President Barack Obama, once the party\u2019s singular political draw, has largely remained on the sidelines.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Polling shows the Democratic Party remains underwater with voters, with a 55% unfavorable rating compared to 38% favorable, according to a <em>RealClearPolitics<\/em> polling average.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">While socialist and progressive candidates are netting notable victories in primaries, the general election will be a different playing field.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A <em>Reuters<\/em>\/Ipsos poll shows the jury is still out on socialism among voters, with 47% of respondents saying they do not understand socialists\u2019 policies, and 49% saying they do.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The poll also found only 27% of respondents believed socialists have \u201cat least some good ideas,\u201d while 23% were unsure or did not respond. Fifty-one percent said the coalition has \u201cfew or no good ideas.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Those numbers illustrate Republicans\u2019 bet: that primary electorates may reward socialist candidates, but the label remains a liability with the broader electorate.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"h-if-the-election-were-held-today\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">If the election were held today<\/h2>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\" id=\"h-veteran-democratic-strategist-james-carville-confidently-predicted-that-democrats-will-take-back-both-branches-of-congress-in-a-text-message-with-the-washington-examiner-house-90-dem-carville-said-of-the-likelihood-of-democrats-winning-senate-60-dem\">Veteran Democratic strategist James Carville confidently predicted that Democrats will take back both branches of Congress in a text message with the <em>Washington Examiner<\/em>.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cHouse 90% Dem,\u201d Carville said of the likelihood of Democrats winning. \u201cSenate 60% Dem.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\" id=\"h-veteran-democratic-strategist-james-carville-confidently-predicted-that-democrats-will-take-back-both-branches-of-congress-in-a-text-message-with-the-washington-examiner-house-90-dem-carville-said-of-the-likelihood-of-democrats-winning-senate-60-dem\">Steve Bannon, who served as the chief strategist on Trump\u2019s successful 2016 campaign, was bullish on the GOP\u2019s chances of keeping the House. <\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cI think the House is more savable because the House is down to 15 districts, right? Twelve of those districts Trump won in 2024. You should be able to hold, let\u2019s say, half of those. If you save half of those, you may eke out a 218 to 217,\u201d Bannon told the <em>Washington Examiner<\/em>. \u201cI mean, it\u2019s going to be no more than one or two seats.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cDon\u2019t get me wrong, the Democrats could sweep here, but all these races are going to be very close, and that could be saved,\u201d Bannon added.<\/p>\n<p>The <em>War Room<\/em> podcast host was less confident about the Senate, however, and laid the blame squarely on Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD) for being unable to pass the SAVE America Act.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cThere\u2019s nothing in the dynamics going to change, and you\u2019re losing MAGA strongholds,\u201d he said. \u201cLike I think you\u2019re 4 or 5 points down in Ohio, you\u2019re 9 points down in North Carolina, you\u2019re 3.5 or 4 points down in Georgia. These are MAGA strongholds, right?\u201d <\/p>\n<h2 id=\"h-what-the-prediction-markets-say\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">What the prediction markets say<\/h2>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Prediction markets are increasingly viewed as a real-time gauge of political sentiment. Unlike traditional polling, they aggregate real-money bets on political outcomes, often capturing shifts in sentiment quicker than surveys.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/4657182\/dsa-endorsement-tracker-socialists-running-for-office-across-america\/#google_vignette\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/4657182\/dsa-endorsement-tracker-socialists-running-for-office-across-america\/#google_vignette\">DSA ENDORSEMENT TRACKER: HERE ARE THE SOCIALISTS RUNNING FOR OFFICE ACROSS AMERICA<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">At this stage in the 2026 cycle, Kalshi gives Democrats an <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/kalshi.com\/markets\/controlh\/house-winner\/controlh-2026\">83% chance<\/a> of retaking the House, while Republicans have a <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/kalshi.com\/markets\/controls\/senate-winner\/controls-2026\">53% chance<\/a> of keeping control of the Senate.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Meanwhile, Polymarket is slightly more bullish on Democrats, giving the party an <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/polymarket.com\/event\/which-party-will-win-the-house-in-2026\">86% chance<\/a> of retaking the House and a <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/polymarket.com\/event\/which-party-will-win-the-senate-in-2026\">56% chance<\/a> of winning the Senate.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Republican hopes rise for 2026 midterms amid shifting maps<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4381,"featured_media":2640108,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/1600x900-MC1-e1777683864618.jpg?w=696","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[33651],"tags":[35835,11481,34250,44227,3756],"class_list":["post-2640107","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-the-western-journal","tag-campaign-strategy","tag-hope","tag-midterm-elections","tag-political-forecast","tag-republicans"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/1600x900-MC1-e1777683864618.jpg?w=696","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2640107","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4381"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2640107"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2640107\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2640112,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2640107\/revisions\/2640112"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2640108"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2640107"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2640107"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2640107"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}