election campaigns

Meta has blocked Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva's Facebook page and campaign advertising just two weeks before Brazil's election. The restriction, affecting a sitting head of state's official channels at a critical moment in the campaign, is drawing widespread attention and debate about platform power over political speech in Brazil.

Food safety has moved into the political spotlight as a series of major outbreaks and product recalls raise public concern. Campaign discussion now includes regulatory oversight, inspection capacity and how agencies respond to contamination events, with voters and commentators weighing which candidates offer credible plans to protect the food supply ahead of the election.

Maine Senator Susan Collins is running her first re-election campaign since voting to confirm Supreme Court justices who later helped overturn federal abortion rights. Her 2022 vote for Brett Kavanaugh has become a central issue, with opponents and voters revisiting her assurances that Roe v. Wade would remain settled law. Coverage from Spectrum News and PBS highlights how the abortion decision continues to shape her race.

The US Senate contest in Texas between Ken Paxton and James Talarico is on track to break the state's record for campaign spending in a Senate election. The expensive race is drawing attention to the high-stakes battle for the Senate seat, with both sides raising and spending at unprecedented levels for a Texas federal contest.

Aimee Shalan, head of a Palestine solidarity campaign, says Palestine has become an electoral issue in the UK for the first time, with anger over Israel's war in Gaza mobilising British voters. The Guardian's community affairs correspondent Aamna Mohdin reports that the conflict is now shaping voter priorities and could influence how people cast their ballots in the election.

Republicans are centering immigration in their outreach to young conservative male voters, according to U.S. News & World Report. The strategy treats immigration as a defining issue for this demographic, which has drifted toward the party in recent election cycles. Commentators are weighing how effectively the messaging converts turnout among younger men and how it plays against other campaign priorities.

The contest for control of the US Senate is shaping up as the most expensive election in American history, according to Bloomberg. Competitive races keep emerging in new states as the map shifts, drawing surging ad spending and fundraising from both parties. With Senate control hanging on a handful of states, campaigns and outside groups are pouring unprecedented sums into the fight.

America's wealthiest donors are funnelling hundreds of millions of dollars into the upcoming midterm elections, with business media now tracking the biggest contributors so far. The spending highlights how billionaire-funded super PACs and large individual donations continue to shape congressional and state races, raising fresh attention on the scale of money in US politics ahead of voting day.

Food safety is moving onto the midterm election agenda following a record outbreak of a foodborne parasite in the United States. The outbreak has drawn attention to inspection and regulatory oversight, and candidates and voters are now weighing how officials have handled food safety, turning a public health incident into a campaign issue.

Fabien Roussel, leader of the French Communist Party, has promised to tone down criticism of Jean-Luc Mélenchon during the presidential campaign. His campaign director, senator Ian Brossat, told La Tribune that 'we will not fall into aggression.' The pledge comes as left-wing rivals position themselves for the election, with lingering tensions between the PCF and La France Insoumise.

A Thai court has dismissed a petition seeking to challenge the legality of the country's February election, clearing the way for the vote to proceed as scheduled. The ruling removes one legal hurdle ahead of the election, though further challenges and political tensions may still shape the campaign period.

Analysts are examining how the Iran war could influence the upcoming U.S. midterm elections. Foreign policy and national security are expected to feature prominently in campaigns, with voters' views on the conflict potentially affecting congressional races and the balance of power in Washington.

President Trump will travel to Ohio to campaign for Senator Jon Husted, a Republican who is facing a competitive challenge in his race. Trump's visit is intended to rally support and boost Husted's prospects ahead of the election, with the contest drawing attention given Ohio's importance to both parties.

Election analysts now rate more of Ohio's congressional districts as competitive, raising the possibility that additional seats could flip in upcoming elections. The reassessment suggests the state's House map may be more up for grabs than previously assumed, with implications for the balance of power in Congress and for both parties' campaigning strategies in the state.

President Trump's political operation is rolling out a campaign strategy aimed at reversing Republican fortunes ahead of the midterm elections, with the party's chances of holding Congress seen as dwindling. The plan reportedly focuses on mobilizing his base and reshaping the midterm message, drawing close attention from analysts weighing whether Trump's involvement can lift or further burden GOP candidates in key races.

Cook County is recruiting election judges while Illinois prepares to deploy poll monitors ahead of the November 3 midterm election. Officials are working to staff polling places across the county, which includes Chicago, as the state readies oversight measures. The effort comes amid heightened national attention on election administration and voting procedures this campaign season.

The US Senate is holding its final round of votes this week before lawmakers head home to campaign for the November elections. With control of Congress at stake, the session marks the last chance to advance pending legislation and confirmations until after Election Day, and both parties are watching how vulnerable members position themselves on close votes.

Brazil's upcoming presidential election is being shaped in part by Washington, as analysts and voters alike ask what Donald Trump will do next regarding the country. The New York Times reports that Trump's stance toward Brazil — and toward former president Jair Bolsonaro — has become one of the biggest open questions of the race, with observers weighing how US actions could influence the campaign and its outcome.

Israeli politician Avigdor Liberman has called for the dismantling of the Palestinian Authority, arguing ahead of the November election that it risks falling to Hamas. The appeal places the future of the Palestinian governing body at the centre of Israeli campaign debate, with concerns that Hamas could take control should the Authority collapse.

Michigan's US Senate race is narrowing, with Democrat Abdul El-Sayed holding a slim lead over Republican Mike Rogers heading into the campaign's final stretch. The contest, open after Gary Peters announced he would not seek re-election, is seen as critical to Senate control. Commentators point to a competitive race that could flip a seat Democrats need to hold to keep their majority.

Several Democratic candidates are making Christian faith a prominent part of their midterm election campaigns, a strategic shift aimed at countering Republican dominance among religious voters. NPR reports the trend, noting candidates are openly discussing their faith on the trail. Observers see it as an attempt by the party to broaden its appeal and blunt attacks portraying Democrats as hostile to religion.

New Jersey Republican Congressman Tom Kean Jr. and Democratic challenger Rebecca Bennett faced off in a debate, clashing over policy differences as their race draws attention. The exchange highlighted sharp disagreements between the two candidates, with viewers weighing in on the performance of each as the campaign contest intensifies.

Guardian columnist Moira Donegan argues that abortion, once a dominant political issue after the overturning of Roe v Wade, has notably receded from America's national debate ahead of the 2026 midterm elections. Despite ongoing Republican pushes for abortion bans, the topic is drawing less attention than in recent years, raising questions about shifting voter priorities and Democratic strategy.

Pollster Frank Luntz says voters are angry as he outlines which coalitions of voters could decide the 2026 US midterm elections. His analysis points to shifting allegiances among key voting blocs that both parties will need to watch as campaigns ramp up.

Democratic candidates in key swing states are reportedly keeping their distance from Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez as the fall campaign season gets underway. The moves reflect concern among moderates that aligning with the progressive congresswoman could hurt their chances with independent and swing voters in closely contested races.

New York Governor Kathy Hochul is facing re-election with the political influence of Zohran Mamdani, the prominent New York City figure, hanging over her campaign. The New York Times reports that Mamdani's presence is shaping the race, forcing Hochul to navigate her relationship with him as she seeks to win over voters.

A guest opinion column published by the Charlotte Observer questions whether payments and benefits promised by Donald Trump to voters ahead of the election amount to pre-election bribes. The piece weighs the legality and ethics of campaign promises involving direct handouts to Americans, adding to ongoing debate about the boundaries of campaign spending and voter inducement as the election approaches.

A new poll shows New Zealand's Green Party at a record high level of support, raising the prospects of a centre-left coalition forming after the country's next election. Stronger Green numbers could prove decisive in whether Labour and its allies can command a parliamentary majority, making the party's surge a key factor in campaign calculations.

Property insurance has emerged as the defining issue in Florida's governor's election, with rising premiums and insurer withdrawals hitting homeowners across the state. Coverage from Florida Today frames the crisis as central to the campaign, as candidates face pressure to explain how they would stabilize a market where many residents have seen costs surge and policies cancelled.

President Trump is planning a trip to Ohio to campaign for Senator Jon Husted, who is facing a competitive re-election challenge. Multiple outlets including AP News and The Seattle Times are carrying the story, highlighting the White House's effort to shore up a Republican seat viewed as vulnerable.

Ahead of the US midterm elections, Donald Trump's political team has aired a 2024 campaign advertisement financed with taxpayer funds, according to NDTV. The move raises questions over the blending of official government resources with campaign activity, a recurring controversy around Trump's political operation as Republicans seek an edge in the midterms.

Andy Burnham, the mayor of Greater Manchester, says he will make social care reform a central pledge at the next election, according to Reuters. Burnham has long campaigned for overhaul of England's funding and provision of adult social care, an issue successive governments have promised but failed to resolve. The announcement puts pressure on national political parties ahead of the next UK general election.

A new poll shows Minogue narrowing the gap with Healey, though Healey remains the favorite heading into the general election. The Boston Herald reports the race is tightening as campaigning continues in Massachusetts, with observers watching whether Minogue's momentum can translate into a genuine challenge to Healey's lead among voters.

US election rules in place for this year's contests may not carry over to the 2028 cycle, according to a Crain's Cleveland report. Voting procedures, ballot access requirements and campaign regulations are frequently revised between presidential cycles by state legislatures, courts and election officials, meaning both voters and candidates could face a different rulebook next time.

Democratic figures are making repeated trips to South Carolina to campaign for candidates in the midterm elections, even though their attention is widely seen as fixed on the 2028 presidential race. The state hosts the party's early primary contests, making it a key proving ground for prospective White House hopefuls, and observers note the midterm stumping doubles as early positioning for the next presidential cycle.

A network of Catholic women religious has launched the 'See. Love. Vote.' campaign aimed at mobilizing voters ahead of the upcoming US elections. The initiative encourages members and communities to engage with the electoral process through the lens of their values. Coverage comes via Global Sisters Report's Monday Starter roundup.

Attention is turning to the race for New York's 12th Congressional District ahead of the 2026 midterm elections, with fresh polling coverage tracking how potential candidates stand. The district, anchored in Syracuse and central New York, is being watched as campaigns and voters look for early signals about the contest's direction. Specific poll numbers have not yet been widely reported, but interest in the seat is clearly building.