Republicans are facing a difficult 2026 midterm election, and even traditionally conservative states like Texas, Kansas, and Iowa are becoming competitive. But if Democrats win, will it be because voters support their agenda, or because Americans are increasingly frustrated with both political parties?
Jessica Taylor, Senate and Governors Editor for The Cook Political Report with Amy Walter, joins Faithful Politics to examine the races that could determine control of Congress and what is motivating voters heading into November.
We discuss Trump's declining approval ratings, the economy, the war in Iran, immigration enforcement, and why some evangelical voters may be reconsidering their political loyalties. Taylor also explains why Democratic candidates like James Talarico in Texas and Pastor Adam Hamilton in Kansas are openly embracing their faith to reach voters traditionally aligned with Republicans.
We also examine third-party candidates, redistricting, how Cook Political Report rates elections, and what the midterms could mean for the 2028 presidential race.
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Jessica Taylor is the Senate and Governors Editor for The Cook Political Report with Amy Walter, where she analyzes congressional and gubernatorial elections across the country. Previously, she spent five years as a political reporter for NPR, covering presidential elections, Congress, and statewide races. Raised Southern Baptist in Tennessee, Taylor brings both political reporting experience and a personal understanding of conservative Christianity to her analysis of religious voters, the Republican Party, and the growing role of faith in Democratic campaigns.
