Political Wire

Machado Returns to Venezuela

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“Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado returned to Caracas in a surprise move that could pose the biggest test yet to acting President Delcy Rodríguez’s political opening and the Trump administration’s strategy for post-Maduro Venezuela,” Bloomberg reports.

“Machado also thanked President Donald Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio for their support, signaling an effort to underscore her ties with Washington even as her return risks complicating the administration’s Venezuela strategy.”

Democrats Aim for Deep-Red Mississippi Senate Seat

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ABC News: “Why are major Democrats and Republicans flocking to Mississippi in recent weeks?”

“In a climate where polls show President Donald Trump’s approval ratings cratering, Democrats are unusually optimistic about Scott Colom’s chances of flipping the Senate seat held by incumbent Republican Cindy Hyde-Smith — even in deep-red Mississippi.”

Talarico Leans Into Growing Rivalry with Elon Musk

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“A rivalry between the world’s richest person and one of the most prominent Democratic candidates is intensifying during the final stage of this year’s midterm elections,” the New York Times reports.

“On the campaign trail in Texas, James Talarico, the Democratic nominee for Senate, is increasingly criticizing Elon Musk over his role in the race. Mr. Musk made a huge contribution this fall to a group aligned with Ken Paxton, Mr. Talarico’s Republican opponent, recent campaign finance disclosures showed.”

“The race in Texas, a pivotal contest that could determine control of the Senate, is now in part a test of whether Democrats can turn Mr. Musk into a political boogeyman and whether his infusion of cash can lift a Republican candidate who has lagged behind his opponent in fund-raising.”

Measles Surge Exposes Republicans’ Vulnerability

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“A growing measles outbreak coupled with health secretary Robert F Kennedy Jr’s vaccine scepticism has emerged as a political problem for Republicans as November’s midterm elections approach,” the Financial Times reports.

“Next month, the U.S. is expected to lose its measles elimination status as determined by the World Health Organization, joining the UK, Canada and other countries. As of October 22, the U.S. had 4,588 confirmed measles infections, double the number of cases in all of 2025 and the most since 1991.”

Epstein Haunts GOP in Midterms as Democrats Vow Probes

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“President Donald Trump can’t shake the furor over Jeffrey Epstein,” Bloomberg reports.

“Democrats are preparing to launch congressional investigations into the administration’s handling of files related to the late, disgraced sex offender if they regain power after the Nov. 3 midterm elections. They say the administration botched the release of documents and are using the issue to hammer Trump and GOP lawmakers in key races.”

Trump Says Decision Time Nears On Iran

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“President Donald Trump said it’s ‘getting to be decision time’ on whether he will make a deal with Tehran or resume attacks as Iranian and Houthi threats against Americans in the Middle East continue to grow,” Bloomberg reports.

Said Trump: “I have a decision to make: Do I finish it off, which would be very easy to do, or do I make a deal? That’s all. We don’t play games.”

New Signs of Rising Risk

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Jim VandeHei: “Eye-opening revelations this past week have solidified my personal fears about the year ahead: As a nation and as a globe, we’re facing a record number of wild risks that are way outside our control.”

“My growing hunch about this scenario has been bolstered by daily conversations with CEOs, government insiders and top investors.”

“It feels likely — not certain — that between now and 2028, we’ll face society-level disruptions, possibly including cyberattacks and fast-twitch economic shocks.”

Voters More Worried About Corruption Under Trump

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Financial Times Poll: “Corruption has become a key source of American discontent in the closing days of midterm election campaigning, with a large majority of U.S. voters saying they are worried about graft in Donald Trump’s second administration.”

“About 69 percent of registered voters, and almost 50 percent of those who voted for the president in 2024, said they were ‘very’ or ‘somewhat’ concerned about ‘corruption, self-dealing or conflicts of interest’ in the Trump administration.”

For members: It’s the Corruption Too, Stupid

How Ohio Trump Voters Reacted to Vivek’s Attack Ad

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Sarah Longwell conducted a focus group with 10 Trump voters in Ohio to test their feelings about Vivek Ramaswamy’s (R) controversial attack ad on rival Amy Acton (D).

“The findings here represent just a sample of the Ohio electorate. But the fact that everyone had heard of or seen the ad and the universal revulsion to it suggest that this could be an all-time backfire for Ramaswamy—and it raises the possibility that Trump and Vance will also suffer politically for rushing to defend it.”

Trump’s Department of Justice Barrels Into Midterms

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“With just nine days until the midterms, the Trump administration is escalating its assault on two of the Department of Justice’s most sacred guardrails: Independence from the White House and restraint before elections,” Axios reports.

“President Trump’s DOJ has shattered the traditional calm of a pre-election period with a barrage of politically sensitive investigations, prosecutions and eleventh-hour efforts to influence the vote.”

Republicans May Be Neglecting Their Most Reliable Voters

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Washington Sun: “Two years into a Trump administration that social conservatives hoped would bring significant victories on abortion and other evangelical Christian voters’ priorities, some are unimpressed by what the president has delivered. The lack of enthusiasm has been exacerbated by a national campaign outreach strategy that seems to be targeting everybody but them.”

“The bottom line? Evangelical Christians feel overlooked.”

“The discontent among the Republican Party’s most loyal voting bloc raises an uncomfortable question ahead of Election Day: Will evangelicals remain faithful to show up when their party needs them?”