Touching Down For Midterms: 1 Week Away, Here Are Races To Watch

Published October 29, 2018 at 10:00 AM CDT

In this Oct. 24, 2018, photo, Florida gubernatorial candidates, Republican Ron DeSantis, left, and Democrat Andrew Gillum fist bump after a debate at Broward College in Davie, Fla. The final stretch of the midterm campaign is increasingly dominated by debate over one of the most sensitive issues in American political culture: Race. In Florida, accusations of racism are playing a central role in the hotly-contested campaign for governor. DeSantis chafed at questions about his ties to supporters who have made inflammatory comments. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee, Pool)

We’re closing in on the midterms. We’ll touch down for a look at key matchups, and what’s driving voters to the polls.

Guests

Janet Hook, national political reporter for the Wall Street Journal. ( @hookjan)

Nathan Gonzales, editor and publisher of Inside Elections, which provides nonpartisan campaign analysis. Political analyst for CNN and RollCall. ( @nathanlgonzales)

Stephen Fowler, political reporter for Georgia Public Broadcasting. ( @stphnfwlr)

Megan Messerly, political reporter for the Nevada Independent. ( @meganmesserly)

From The Reading List

Inside Elections: “ Republican Migraines and the Midterm Elections” — “Weather metaphors are often used (and overused) in election analysis, but there’s a better way to describe the Republicans’ challenge in 2018. The GOP is dealing with many headaches as it tries to preserve the Republican congressional majorities.

“From tension to cluster to migraine, they can vary in frequency and severity. And Republicans’ ability to alleviate them will determine control of the House and Senate in the 116th Congress.

“Whether it’s a presidential pain in the neck, the large number of open seats, stellar Democratic fundraising, unprepared incumbents or turnout, the pressures are numerous.

“That’s in addition to lingering misery from the unexpectedly competitive special elections and the weight of poor historical midterm results for the president’s party.”

Georgia Public Broadcasting: “ Few Surprises In First Televised Georgia Governor Debate” — “A fire alarm going off a few minutes into the live debate for Georgia’s governor was probably the most unpredictable part of the night. It’s the first time the three candidates shared the stage ahead of the Nov. 6 election, and the candidates largely stuck to campaign talking points.

“Republican Secretary of State Brian Kemp reminded viewers about his plan to stop street gangs, Democrat Stacey Abrams continued her push for Medicaid expansion, and both major candidates sparred over voting rights in the election.”

The Nevada Independent: “ Sanders urges Nevada progressives to support Rosen to end ‘one-party rule’ in Washington, D.C.” — “U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders had a message for Nevada progressives facing a midterm election with a relatively moderate slate of Democratic candidates: Your beliefs don’t mean anything unless you vote.

“At two rallies on Thursday in Reno and Las Vegas, Sanders urged young people, who he referred to as the ‘most progressive generation in the history of America,’ and other acolytes to get involved politically in a year that Democrats are fighting for every vote in an attempt to wrest control of a U.S. Senate seat and the Governor’s Mansion from Republicans. Sanders’ message at both rallies — which touched on frequent themes from his 2016 presidential campaign including a single-payer health-care system, free college tuition and a $15 minimum wage — was a departure from the relatively moderate message Democrats in the state have been preaching on the trail.”