US Midterm Elections: One Week Until High-Stakes Contests

With one week remaining until Election Day on Tuesday, Nov. 3, voters are preparing to cast their ballots in a series of high-stakes midterm elections.

These elections feature several pivotal House and Senate races that could shift the balance of power in Congress. Additionally, numerous significant gubernatorial races across the country will be decided, potentially impacting President Donald Trump's legislative agenda for the latter half of his term.

Presidential Campaign Stops

President Donald Trump is making his fourth campaign trip to Texas since Labor Day, holding two rallies in Lubbock and Corpus Christi as Republicans finalize their closing arguments in battleground races. Trump is scheduled to deliver remarks at both events.

The Texas Senate race, a closely watched contest, features Republican Ken Paxton and Democrat James Talarico in a neck-and-neck competition. Paxton has confirmed his attendance at the rallies. Rep. Monica De La Cruz, who is in a toss-up race for the 15th Congressional District against Tejano musician Bobby Pulido, also plans to attend.

Talarico is slated to speak at a rally in Lubbock. According to campaign advisories, over 20% of registered voters in Texas have already participated in early voting.

Record Spending in Election Cycle

The 2025-2026 election cycle has emerged as the most expensive on record, with $11.21 billion in ad spending and reservations as of Monday night, according to media tracking firm AdImpact. This figure surpasses the $11.20 billion spent during the entire 2023-2024 election cycle.

Key Senate Races

Thirty-five Senate seats are contested in the upcoming elections. A critical group of these races is expected to determine which party will control the chamber in the following year. Among the closely watched Senate contests are those in Michigan, Texas, and Alaska.