Full Analysis Summary
Midterms' impact on Trump era
CNN says this year's midterm elections will shape the final two years of Donald Trump's presidency and what politics after Trump might look like.
The article notes primaries start on March 3.
It says the results "will either preserve Republican majorities in Congress, helping Trump to push through his agenda, or give Democrats control of either the US House or Senate and the ability to stop his legislative priorities and open investigations into him."
The article adds that the 2028 presidential race will be "the first national election in 16 years without Trump's name on the ballot."
It says candidates and party leaders will use these contests to prepare for 2028.
Key Senate and governor races
CNN outlines key dates and high-profile contests.
On March 3 in Texas, incumbent GOP Sen. John Cornyn faces challenges from state Attorney General Ken Paxton and Rep. Wesley Hunt.
Democrats Jasmine Crockett and state Rep. James Talarico vie for their nomination.
Democrats will also choose a nominee to run against Gov. Greg Abbott, who is seeking a fourth term.
North Carolina appears to be headed to a general election between former Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper and former RNC chair Michael Whatley.
Other early contests include March 17 in Illinois, where Sen. Dick Durbin’s retirement produced a crowded Democratic field led by Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton and Reps. Robin Kelly and Raja Krishnamoorthi.
On May 5 in Ohio, CNN says the Senate race is "effectively set" between GOP Sen. Jon Husted and former Democratic Sen. Sherrod Brown.
On May 5 in Ohio, former 2024 presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy is the favorite in the Republican governor’s primary against Democrat Amy Acton.
Competitive primary calendar
May 16 in Louisiana features Sen. Bill Cassidy facing Rep. Julia Letlow, who received Trump's endorsement, and Cassidy voted to convict Trump in 2021.
May 19 includes competitive contests in Georgia and Kentucky.
Georgia's GOP Senate primary features Reps. Buddy Carter and Mike Collins and Derek Dooley.
Georgia's GOP gubernatorial field includes Brad Raffensperger and Lt. Gov. Burt Jones, whom Trump endorsed.
Georgia's Democratic field includes Keisha Lance Bottoms, Geoff Duncan and Jason Esteves.
Kentucky's GOP Senate primary includes Rep. Andy Barr, Daniel Cameron and Nate Morris.
In Kentucky, Rep. Thomas Massie is facing Trump-backed challenger Ed Gallrein.
June 2 has crowded California contests to replace Gov. Gavin Newsom and Iowa's open Senate and governor contests.
The crowded California field to replace Gov. Gavin Newsom includes Xavier Becerra, Matt Mahan, Katie Porter, Tom Steyer, Rep. Eric Swalwell and Antonio Villaraigosa.
June 9 has primaries in Maine and South Carolina.
June 23 has primaries in New York.
July 21 features a primary in Arizona.
August 4 has primaries in Michigan.
August 11 includes primaries in Minnesota and Wisconsin.
September 1 in Massachusetts features Rep. Seth Moulton challenging Sen. Ed Markey.
September 8 in New Hampshire pits John E. Sununu, who Trump endorsed, against Scott Brown.
The article notes Iowa Democratic primary candidates Zach Wahls and Josh Turek and reports that Marine Corps veteran Nathan Sage exited and endorsed Turek.
It reports concerns among Democrats in Maine about Graham Platner's past social media posts.
It also reports that Gov. Janet Mills would be the oldest freshman senator ever elected if she won.
US general election overview
CNN frames the November 3 general elections in numerical terms: Democrats need a net gain of three House seats to win control of that chamber.
The piece says Democrats would need to gain four Senate seats to take the majority from the Republican-controlled body that the article reports is currently split 53 to 47 in favor of Republicans with Vice President JD Vance serving as a tiebreaker.
The article says Trump pressured GOP-led states to redraw congressional maps mid-decade to help preserve the party’s narrow majority, which "sparked a redistricting arms race" as Democratic-run states responded.
The article records there are currently 27 Republican governors and 23 Democratic governors.
It says 36 statewide seats are up on November 3, and that more than 6,000 legislative races and dozens of ballot measures will also be decided.
If any detail in this summary appears ambiguous, it reflects ambiguity in the article itself rather than an added assertion.