Will 2026 Be a Fair Fight?

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The Atlantic

Politics, News, Society & Culture

4.4 • 1.9K Ratings

🗓️ 6 November 2025

⏱️ 26 minutes

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Summary

Go ahead, Democrats. Enjoy your victory parties. But after that, brace yourselves, because Republicans may not be playing by the same rules a year from now. Since President Donald Trump took office for his second term—indeed, since his loss in 2020—he has shown his willingness to subvert the rules of free and fair elections. In various ways, he’s used his power to intimidate potential opponents, Democratic donors, and even voters who might oppose him. We talk to the Atlantic staff writer David A. Graham about this week’s election as a test run for 2026, the gerrymandering arms race, and future possible scenarios of election meddling. Get more from your favorite Atlantic voices when you subscribe. You’ll enjoy unlimited access to Pulitzer-winning journalism, from clear-eyed analysis and insight on breaking news to fascinating explorations of our world. Atlantic subscribers also get access to exclusive subscriber audio in Apple Podcasts. Subscribe today at TheAtlantic.com/listener. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcript

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0:00.0	It was a clean sweep for Democrats last night as the party clinched victories in key races across the country.
0:15.6	Democrats won big. That's the main takeaway from this week's elections. It's the first time that voters
0:22.9	across the country got to voice their opinion since Donald Trump was reelected. And their answer,
0:29.5	and this admittedly limited test run, was no thank you. It was blue, blue, blue everywhere. This was true of the governor's races.
0:39.3	The Associated Press has determined the Democrat, Mikey Sherrill, has been elected as governor of New Jersey.
0:45.6	And in the Commonwealth of Virginia, Abigail Spanberger, the former Congresswoman,
0:50.4	handily winning the governor's race.
0:52.4	It was true in California's Proposition 50.
0:55.0	Voters have approved a ballot measure on redistricting
0:59.0	that could boost Democrats in next year's midterm elections.
1:03.0	It's the theme of the night, voters turning out, signaling,
1:06.0	they want change, and they are not happy with the president's party.
1:09.0	And it was true in local races all around the country, like most notably New York City,
1:14.9	where Zoran Mamdani made history as a young Muslim progressive, now elected mayor.
1:21.2	So Donald Trump, since I know you're watching,
1:26.4	and have four words for you.
1:30.3	Turn the volume up.
1:34.2	Democrats are, of course, enjoying their victory parties,
1:38.0	measuring how big their tent could get,
1:40.2	daring to dream of retaking the House in 2026
1:43.5	to be some sort of check on Trump.
1:46.3	But that is still a ways away. And in the meantime, there's another important election story
	...

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