Democrats Pitch Congress and State Races as Corruption Emerges as a Midterm Issue

Democrats are heading into the 2026 midterm elections with control of Congress and of state legislatures at stake, and with corruption emerging as a top issue in the campaign. Democrats say that if they retake Congress they will investigate President Donald Trump and his administration. Retaking Congress would also let them block Trump's agenda. Little-noticed state legislative races could prove just as consequential, because winning control of states would let Democrats begin to reverse that agenda rather than only block it. The elections take place this year.

Right-leaning outlets had not reported this story at the time of writing, while left-leaning and alternative or independent outlets had. Left-leaning coverage, represented by Mother Jones, leads with state legislative races, presenting them as an underappreciated midterm issue and stressing that state control could reverse Trump's agenda. Alternative and independent coverage, represented by NewsNation, leads with corruption as a top midterm issue and Democrats' vow to investigate Trump and his administration. Both describe Democratic efforts to regain power, but they differ in focus: statehouses versus congressional oversight. No right-leaning coverage was available for comparison.