James Talarico won the Democratic primary for the U.S. Senate race in Texas, defeating Jasmine Crockett. Talarico received over half the votes and will now prepare to face a Republican opponent in the election. The election process involved some confusion in voting locations, affecting voter turnout.
Key Facts
James Talarico won the Democratic nomination for the U.S. Senate race in Texas.
The Associated Press called the race in favor of Talarico with him getting 53.2% of the votes.
Jasmine Crockett, his opponent, received 45.5% of the votes with 60% of locations reporting.
Voting issues arose in Dallas County due to closed voting centers and extended polling hours.
Texas has not elected a statewide Democratic candidate since 1994.
Talarico's campaign had $4.8 million, while Crockett's campaign had $3.5 million in funds.
Political action committees spent millions on advertising for both candidates.
Talarico will face either John Cornyn or Ken Paxton, depending on the Republican primary runoff outcome.
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Texas held its first primary elections for the 2026 midterms. Senator John Cornyn showed strong results, preventing an immediate loss to Attorney General Ken Paxton and setting up a May runoff. Controversies also arose in the Democratic Senate primary, with claims of voting issues.
Key Facts
Senator John Cornyn will compete against Attorney General Ken Paxton in a runoff election in May.
Concerns exist within the Republican Party about Paxton potentially losing in the general election.
Democratic Rep. Jasmine Crockett claimed voter disenfranchisement in Dallas County, trailing behind State Rep. James Talarico.
Cornyn and Paxton's primary is costly, nearing $100 million, and both seek President Trump's endorsement.
Populist James Talarico outspent Crockett significantly in campaign advertising.
Redistricting led to GOP Rep. Dan Crenshaw losing to State Rep. Steve Toth, and it created challenges for Rep. Al Green.
Democratic turnout, especially among Latino voters, surged in Texas, notably in the Rio Grande Valley.
In Texas' 34th district, Democratic primary participation was roughly double that of the Republican primary.
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The United States is involved in military strikes with Israel against Iran, which is causing political disagreements in the U.S. Some conservatives, who typically support President Trump, are upset about the strikes. This disagreement is important because the U.S. will have midterm elections soon, which could affect President Trump's political support.
Key Facts
The United States and Israel conducted military strikes against Iran.
These strikes are affecting political views in the U.S. ahead of the 2026 midterm elections.
Some conservatives criticize President Trump's decision to support the strikes.
Influential conservative figures like Tucker Carlson and Marjorie Taylor Greene have spoken against the conflict.
Conservatives argue the strikes go against "America First" principles.
All seats in the U.S. House of Representatives and 35 Senate seats are up for election soon.
These elections will influence President Trump's ability to pass his policy agenda.
Critics use past statements by Trump and his allies to argue against the current military action.
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Former Democratic Governor Roy Cooper leads ex-Republican National Committee Chair Michael Whatley in polls for North Carolina's 2026 U.S. Senate race. Both candidates won their party primaries, and the seat is currently held by retiring Republican Senator Thom Tillis. The race is part of the 2026 midterm elections, with Republicans aiming to keep control of Congress.
Key Facts
Roy Cooper is the former Democratic Governor of North Carolina.
Michael Whatley is the former Chair of the Republican National Committee.
Both won their primary elections for the U.S. Senate race in North Carolina.
The seat is currently held by retiring Republican Senator Thom Tillis.
Polls show Cooper with a lead over Whatley; one poll gives Cooper a 10-point lead.
North Carolina is considered a swing state and important for both parties in the 2026 midterm elections.
Democrats last won a U.S. Senate seat in North Carolina in 2008.
The upcoming election will be closely watched and involve significant spending.
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The Texas Supreme Court decided that votes in Dallas County, cast after 7 p.m. due to extended voting hours, should be separated. This order goes against a U.S. District Court judge's decision to allow extended hours in some counties. The change in where people vote led to confusion about where their votes would be counted.
Key Facts
The Texas Supreme Court ordered late votes in Dallas County to be separated from those cast before 7 p.m.
A U.S. District Court previously allowed polling places to stay open later in certain counties.
The voting confusion came from changing the rule that let people vote at any location to requiring them to go to a specific precinct.
Many voters arrived at their usual polling places but couldn't vote there due to new rules.
Dallas County Democratic Party Chair filed an emergency request that led to the initial extension order.
U.S. Representative Jasmine Crockett expressed uncertainty about when final election results would be known.
The counting status of ballots cast after 7 p.m. in Dallas remains unclear.
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Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton and U.S. Senator John Cornyn did not get enough votes to win the Texas Republican Senate primary directly. They will face each other in a runoff election in May to decide who will be the Republican nominee. Both spent a lot on their campaigns, making this one of the most expensive primaries in Texas.
Key Facts
Ken Paxton and John Cornyn are going to a runoff because neither got over 50% of the votes.
The winner of the runoff will likely have a strong chance in the November election, as Texas usually elects Republicans.
This primary has been costly, with candidates and their supporters spending a lot on ads.
Public polls showed Paxton slightly ahead of Cornyn before the primary vote.
Paxton’s support grew due to his role as attorney general and backing from President Trump.
Cornyn relied on his experience and support from major Republican groups who spent over $50 million on his behalf.
Prediction markets favored Paxton to win the primary.
The May runoff will determine the Republican Senate nominee for Texas.
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Democratic Texas state Representative Gina Hinojosa won the Democratic nomination for governor, setting up a race against Republican Governor Greg Abbott. Polls show Abbott leading Hinojosa in the run-up to the general election on November 3.
Key Facts
Gina Hinojosa won the Democratic primary with 60.5% of the vote.
Greg Abbott has been Texas Governor since 2014 and could become the longest-serving governor if re-elected.
Recent polls show Abbott leading Hinojosa by 7 to 8 percentage points.
Abbott has more support among men, white, Latino, and older voters.
Hinojosa is favored by women, Black voters, college-educated voters, and Gen Z.
In the upcoming general election, some prediction markets give Democrats around an 18% chance of winning the governor's race.
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President Donald Trump endorsed Michael Whatley for the U.S. Senate seat in North Carolina. Whatley won the Republican primary with 64.4% of the vote and will face Democrat Roy Cooper in the general election. Trump continues to influence Republican politics, especially in North Carolina.
Key Facts
President Trump endorsed Michael Whatley for the U.S. Senate race in North Carolina.
Michael Whatley won the Republican primary with 64.4% of the vote.
The endorsement is part of Trump's effort to help Republicans keep control of the Senate.
The North Carolina Senate seat is considered a key battleground in the 2026 election.
Democrat Roy Cooper, backed by his party, will face Whatley in the general election.
Surveys suggest Cooper is currently leading Whatley in voter support.
North Carolina has a history of voting for both Republican and Democrat candidates.
Michael Whatley is a former chair of the Republican National Committee.
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U.S. Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick has agreed to give testimony to a congressional committee about his past associations with Jeffrey Epstein. Lutnick lived near Epstein in New York and has come under scrutiny for his interactions with Epstein over the years. The House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform is seeking details about these ties.
Key Facts
Howard Lutnick is the U.S. Secretary of Commerce.
Lutnick agreed to give a transcribed interview to a congressional committee about his relationship with Jeffrey Epstein.
Lutnick lived next door to Epstein in New York for over 10 years.
There is scrutiny over Lutnick's interactions with Epstein, especially after 2005.
Lutnick visited Epstein's private island in 2012 despite a past claim of cutting ties in 2005.
The committee is also seeking testimony from other notable individuals linked to Epstein.
Jeffrey Epstein was awaiting sex trafficking charges when he died in 2019.
Former President Bill Clinton and ex-Secretary of State Hillary Clinton also testified about their connections to Epstein.
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Texas State Senator Angela Paxton filed for divorce from Attorney General Ken Paxton in 2025. This announcement came during a busy political period, as Ken Paxton is running for a U.S. Senate seat. Allegations against Ken, including an affair and impeachment for abuse of office, have become topics in the campaign.
Key Facts
Angela Paxton is a Texas State Senator and first won her seat in 2018.
She filed for divorce from Ken Paxton in July 2025, citing "biblical grounds."
Allegations of adultery and the couple living apart since June 2024 were mentioned in court filings.
Ken Paxton was impeached in 2023 on charges like abuse of office and bribery.
The divorce announcement coincides with Ken Paxton’s bid for a U.S. Senate seat.
The Republican primaries in Texas are on March 3, with runoffs on May 26, and polling times vary by region.
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Dallas police detained a man outside a hotel where Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton planned to hold a watch party for his race in the Republican primary for the U.S. Senate. There is no clear connection between the man's detention and Paxton's event. Police found ammunition in a car connected to the man, but no firearms were found.
Key Facts
A man was detained by Dallas police outside a hotel where Ken Paxton planned a watch party.
The event was related to Paxton's race in the Republican primary for the U.S. Senate.
It is unclear if the detention is tied to Ken Paxton's event.
Police found ammunition in a blue car outside the hotel.
The man was seen with a camouflage face mask, sunglasses, a hat, and gloves.
No firearms were found during the police search.
The situation is still developing, and more details may come later.
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Michael Whatley won the Republican primary for the U.S. Senate seat in North Carolina. He will face Roy Cooper, a former Democratic governor, in the general election. This Senate race is significant because it might influence which party controls the U.S. Senate.
Key Facts
Michael Whatley won the Republican primary for the U.S. Senate in North Carolina.
Roy Cooper, a former Democratic governor, will be his opponent in the general election.
The Senate seat is open because Republican Thom Tillis is not seeking reelection.
This race is important for determining control of the U.S. Senate.
Whatley is supported by President Donald Trump and aligns with his agenda.
Roy Cooper has never lost a statewide election in North Carolina.
Trump endorsed Whatley early and publicly encouraged him to run.
The seat has been held by Republicans for over 50 years, but Democrats hope to win it.
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Minnesota is investigating possible misconduct by federal immigration officers during an enforcement operation. The inquiry looks into several incidents, including the use of force against protesters and an incident involving students. The investigation is led by Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty and focuses on events in Hennepin County, which includes Minneapolis.
Key Facts
Minnesota prosecutor Mary Moriarty is investigating federal officers for possible misconduct.
The investigation includes 17 cases, such as using smoke canisters and chemical irritants.
One reported incident involved students during an arrest near a high school.
The Department of Homeland Security claims federal officers cannot be prosecuted by states.
Greg Bovino, a Border Patrol official, is specifically named in the investigation.
Bovino previously used aggressive tactics in various cities, including Minneapolis and Chicago.
Moriarty's office is collecting evidence and may sue the federal government for additional data.
The investigation includes the deaths of two individuals during federal enforcement actions.
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Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the U.S. attacked Iran because Israel was planning a strike on Iran, which could have led to Iranian attacks on U.S. assets. President Trump offered a different explanation, stating the attack was to prevent an imminent threat from Iran. The statements have sparked debate about U.S. motivations and its relationship with Israel.
Key Facts
Secretary of State Marco Rubio linked the U.S. strike on Iran to an expected Israeli attack on Iran.
Rubio's comments suggested that Iran's response would have threatened U.S. assets in the region.
President Donald Trump claimed the strikes were to prevent an imminent Iranian attack.
There has been little evidence provided for the claimed Iranian threat.
The U.S.-Israeli action has faced criticism for possibly violating U.S. and international laws.
The U.S. has provided over $300 billion in military aid to Israel since 1948.
Rubio later stated his comments had been taken out of context.
The situation has prompted discussions about U.S. and Israeli interests and legal justifications for war.
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House Democrats expressed dissatisfaction after a briefing by Trump administration officials about the situation in Iran. The Democrats plan to push forward a resolution to limit President Trump's ability to engage in military action against Iran without Congressional approval. While Republicans found the briefing productive, Democrats felt their concerns were not addressed.
Key Facts
House Democrats attended a briefing on Iran given by Trump administration officials.
Democrats were unhappy with the briefing and plan to introduce a resolution to limit the President's military actions.
Rep. Gabe Vasquez stated that the briefing did not change his stance, supporting the resolution.
Rep. Jim Costa supports both a main resolution and a softer alternative.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio and other top officials conducted the briefing.
Some Republicans viewed the briefing as informative, while Democrats felt ignored.
Republicans and Democrats asked about plans to evacuate Americans from the Middle East.
Democrats accused Republicans of supporting President Trump without addressing key issues.
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A new poll from YouGov shows that 50% of Americans now support abolishing ICE, marking the first time this level of support has been recorded. The poll also reveals differences in opinion among political groups, with a significant number of Democrats and Independents favoring the idea, while most Republicans oppose it. The survey also found widespread agreement on requiring ICE agents to wear uniforms with identification, though opinions vary on agents wearing face coverings.
Key Facts
50% of Americans support abolishing ICE, according to a YouGov poll.
This is the first time in YouGov's history that support for abolishing ICE has reached 50%.
52% of Independents support abolishing ICE, while 68% of Republicans oppose it.
23% of Republicans now support the idea, a record high for this group.
75% of Americans believe ICE officers should wear uniforms with identification.
59% of Americans think ICE agents shouldn't wear masks covering their faces.
The poll included 1,515 U.S. adults, conducted from Feb. 27 to March 2, with a margin of error of about 3.4%.
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US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick will testify before Congress in an investigation related to Jeffrey Epstein. Lutnick admitted visiting Epstein's private island in 2012, despite cutting ties with Epstein in 2005. The testimony is part of a broader inquiry that has involved other high-profile individuals.
Key Facts
Howard Lutnick is the US Commerce Secretary.
He will voluntarily testify before a congressional panel investigating Jeffrey Epstein.
Lutnick admitted to visiting Epstein’s private island in 2012.
He claimed he cut ties with Epstein in 2005.
Lutnick is not accused of any wrongdoing by Epstein's victims.
His visit details appeared in documents released by the US Justice Department.
There are calls for Lutnick to resign due to his visit to the island.
Bill and Hillary Clinton also testified in the inquiry recently.
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Support for abolishing U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has reached a record high, according to a new poll. The poll indicates increased scrutiny of ICE, partly due to recent incidents involving U.S. citizens being shot. Debates over ICE funding have led to a shutdown of the Department of Homeland Security.
Key Facts
A new poll from YouGov and The Economist shows 50% support for abolishing ICE, compared to 39% who do not support it.
This marks an increase from a previous poll where 47% supported abolishment, and 42% opposed it.
The poll surveyed 1,515 adults between February 27 and March 2 with a margin of error of 3.4 percentage points.
Democrats showed the highest support at 77%, while 52% of independents also favored abolishment. Among Republicans, 23% supported ending ICE.
Two incidents in January, where American citizens were fatally shot by officers, have increased focus on ICE and related agencies.
The Department of Homeland Security is currently shut down due to disagreements over ICE funding.
Democratic leaders have made several demands, such as targeted enforcement and stopping operations at sensitive locations.
The shutdown continues as debates over these demands stall progress toward reopening the agency.
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Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem defended immigration enforcement tactics during a Senate Judiciary Committee meeting. Some senators from both political parties criticized these tactics as too aggressive. The discussion happened while Congress is stuck on decisions about funding for the Department of Homeland Security.
Key Facts
Kristi Noem is the Homeland Security Secretary.
Noem defended her immigration tactics before the Senate Judiciary Committee.
Senators from both the Democratic and Republican parties criticized these tactics.
The criticism focused on the methods being too aggressive.
The meeting took place amid ongoing debates in Congress about Homeland Security funding.
Concerns about national security are increasing due to conflict in the Middle East.
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President Donald Trump's approval rating has not changed much since the start of the conflict with Iran, with some polls showing slight variations. The attacks, involving U.S. and Israeli airstrikes, have resulted in casualties and led to warnings from U.S. embassies for Americans to leave the Middle East. Trump's recent military actions have sparked discussions about his foreign policy and its alignment with his "America First" platform.
Key Facts
President Trump’s approval ratings show little change overall, despite some small dips in individual polls.
The conflict with Iran involves U.S. and Israeli military actions that started last Saturday.
According to the Iranian Red Crescent Society, the airstrikes have killed at least 787 people.
Six Americans have died in the conflict, as reported by the U.S. military.
U.S. embassies across the Middle East have urged Americans to leave, citing safety concerns.
An Economist/YouGov poll has Trump's approval at 38 percent, while 59 percent disapprove, showing minor shifts in ratings.
Trump's actions in Iran are named "Operation Epic Fury" following "Operation Midnight Hammer."
Discussions are ongoing about how these military actions align with Trump's "America First" policy.
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