The Concession Call Is No Longer a Given

“When the campaign trail runs out, the concession call is a tradition that is excruciating for the loser and sweet for the victor,” the New York Times reports.

“If it happens at all…”

“In a bygone era, such breaches of political protocol might have been unheard of. Yet as the 2026 midterm elections wind down, with several House races and a Senate race in Alaska too close to call, one might conclude that failing to concede defeat is more frequent than ever, the latest norm of polite politics to become a casualty of a less civil age.”

“Historically, concessions in American politics have come in two prongs: a personal communication between candidates, as well as a public speech. And some candidates still appear to embrace those customs.”