AGP Executive Report

Congressional Shift: Democrats won control of both the House and Senate, a sweeping rebuke of President Donald Trump that puts his agenda at risk and opens the door to investigations and tougher oversight. Voters’ concerns included the cost of living, tariffs and the Iran war. Historic Wins: Michigan Democrat Abdul El-Sayed became the first Muslim elected to the Senate, while Peggy Flanagan became the first Native American woman elected to the chamber. Democrats also flipped key seats in Iowa and Texas and won governorships in several states. Immigration: A federal judge blocked the Trump administration from deporting Afghan nationals to Afghanistan or Pakistan this week, as advocates warned returnees could face danger.

Midterm Elections: Americans voted in contests that could reshape control of Congress, with affordability and the Iran conflict among key concerns. Georgia’s House and secretary of state races were still being counted, while the Justice Department sent about 1,000 monitors to polling places across all 50 states—its largest such deployment. Iran Conflict: U.S. forces struck Iranian targets near the Strait of Hormuz and on Qeshm Island, even as Washington and Tehran weighed proposals to prevent renewed fighting. Iran warned it would respond to further attacks. Israel Aid: President Donald Trump said the U.S. would end its $4 billion in annual aid to Israel in 2027, with arms sales replacing grants. Immigration: A federal judge temporarily blocked plans to deport detained Afghans to Afghanistan or Pakistan, citing risks of persecution and harm.

Midterms: Americans are voting in races for all 435 House seats, 35 Senate seats and 36 governorships, with control of Congress at stake. Tight contests in states including Georgia, Texas and South Carolina could shape the balance of power. The Justice Department has assigned election officials to handle complaints, while civil rights groups challenge the presence of federal agents at polling places. Iran Conflict: The U.S. carried out limited strikes on Iran’s Qeshm Island, saying they were defensive, as President Trump signaled progress in negotiations. Tehran warned Washington against further escalation, raising fresh uncertainty around the Strait of Hormuz. Public Health: New York reported its first measles-related child death in 30 years amid a nationwide outbreak. Washington state also reported the year’s first U.S. bird-flu death. Severe Flooding: Floods across the Southwest have prompted evacuations and road closures, with deaths reported in Arizona and Nevada and major damage in Colorado and New Mexico.

Election Day: Voters head to the polls Tuesday in contests that could shift control of Congress, with Democrats favored in many forecasts and affordability a leading concern. Candidates made final appeals in pivotal Senate and governor’s races, while President Trump’s closing speech focused heavily on Washington’s Reflecting Pool before attacking Democrats. Election Oversight: The Justice Department’s push to set aside ballots it says were cast by noncitizens faces legal challenges, and courts have rebuked several federal efforts to assert election authority. Separately, federal prosecutors announced charges against 63 people for alleged election-related offenses, including cases in Georgia and California. South Carolina reported more than 1 million early votes. Campaign Spending: Elon Musk has contributed $427.5 million to federal political committees since saying he would spend less, according to a review of campaign filings. Public Health: A Washington state resident has died after contracting bird flu following exposure to infected dairy cattle—the first U.S. bird-flu death reported this year.

Florida Crash: All nine people aboard a business jet died when it crashed in a Palm Beach County neighborhood, about nine miles from President Donald Trump’s Mar-a-Lago resort; no one on the ground was reported hurt. Midterm Showdown: More than 54 million Americans have already voted ahead of Tuesday’s elections, which will decide control of Congress and dozens of governorships. Healthcare costs are a key voter concern, with average ACA benchmark premiums set to rise 13% next year. Alaska Election Fight: A federal judge rejected the Justice Department’s bid to block certification of the Senate race if Republican Dan Sullivan loses, calling the requested remedies unworkable. Michigan Party Rift: Democrat Haley Stevens endorsed Republican Mike Rogers for Senate after her primary loss to Abdul El-Sayed, deepening divisions in a closely watched race. Federal Oversight: The EPA’s inspector general opened an audit of the agency’s AI practices, including whether tools used to review chemicals and pesticides meet federal safeguards.

Midterm Countdown: Americans vote Tuesday in contests for all 435 House seats, 35 Senate seats and 36 governorships; more than 52 million ballots have already been cast, with control of Congress at stake and affordability a key concern. Alaska Election Fight: A federal judge dismissed the Justice Department’s bid to delay certification of the state’s Senate race and segregate ballots, citing voter secrecy and the lack of a workable plan. DOJ says it will appeal. Florida Crash: All nine people aboard a Learjet 60 died when it crashed into a Palm Beach County neighborhood after departing Austin for the Bahamas. Federal investigators are probing the cause. Trade Talks: Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney says teams will resume work toward a U.S.-Canada trade deal after a “good conversation” with President Trump; formal negotiations could restart within days.

Midterm Showdown: A record 52.8 million Americans have voted early ahead of Tuesday’s midterms. Federal judges have blocked Justice Department efforts to pressure election officials, while disputes over voter eligibility and ballot handling continue to fuel legal fights. Birmingham Shooting: One person was killed and eight wounded after the Magic City Classic football game in Alabama; police detained a suspect for questioning. Cybersecurity: The FBI blamed North Korea’s TraderTraitor group for the roughly $6.3 billion Binance crypto heist, saying stolen funds were converted into ethereum. Gulf Tensions: A Qatari LNG tanker was struck by unidentified objects in Gulf waters. The crew was unharmed, as Qatar pursues talks between Washington and Tehran amid the U.S. blockade of Iranian ports. Federal Finances: U.S. public debt has topped the size of the economy for the first time since World War II.

Election Oversight: A federal judge questioned the Justice Department’s last-minute effort to flag suspected noncitizen voters, citing the risk that eligible voters could be wrongly targeted. A court filing found 42% of names on California’s list were not on current voter rolls; Alaska’s Republican-led government also urged dismissal of a DOJ lawsuit seeking to delay Senate-race certification. Voting Trends: Wisconsin reported 693,000 absentee ballots by Friday, with in-person voting up more than 50% from 2022 as mail-in voting declined. Midterm Races: With Election Day days away, control of Congress is at stake in contests including Maine’s Susan Collins–Troy Jackson Senate race and a closely watched Texas Senate campaign. Trump’s Arch Plan: Washington, D.C., and Virginia sued to block the proposed 250-foot monument, adding to mounting legal challenges as the administration says construction could start next week. Iran Talks: Tehran said it had received Vice President JD Vance’s letter seeking renewed negotiations, but has not replied and says talks hinge on U.S. meeting its demands.

Markets: A late-October tech selloff wiped about $2 trillion from the Nasdaq-100, as investors questioned whether soaring AI spending can deliver growth. Alphabet lost more than $500 billion in value in one day, while Intel and Reddit each fell nearly 29%. Election Stakes: With midterms days away, control of the Senate could hinge on Texas, where Democrat James Talarico is narrowly ahead of Republican Ken Paxton. Inflation and high energy prices are weighing on voters as both parties make a final push. Voting Rights: A federal judge temporarily barred the Justice Department from threatening state and local election officials over ballot handling. Separately, the DOJ is pursuing a legal challenge that could delay certification of Alaska’s Senate race, where Republican Dan Sullivan faces Democrat Mary Peltola. Public Health: San Diego County reports an unusually early flu surge, with 11 deaths and 516 hospitalizations so far, including two children among the dead. Health officials urge residents to get vaccinated.

Election Fight: A federal appeals court again rejected the Trump administration’s bid to set aside 20,000 California ballots, warning the effort could disenfranchise voters and disrupt counting. The dispute may reach the Supreme Court days before Election Day. Alaska Probe: Federal prosecutors confirmed criminal and civil investigations into an alleged effort to confuse voters by placing a second Dan Sullivan on the Senate ballot. The candidates and Democrat Mary Peltola deny coordinating the scheme; prosecutors have not identified potential crimes or targets. Midterm Turnout: More than 42 million Americans have voted early. University of Florida analysis points to strong Democratic and younger-voter participation, though turnout patterns vary by state. In Pennsylvania, immigrant advocates are preparing poll guardians and voter-rights guidance amid concerns about immigration enforcement. Economy: U.S. GDP grew 3.4% in the third quarter, while inflation pressures persist; federal debt has also topped the size of the economy for the first time since 1946.

Election Fight: The Trump administration is seeking to stop Alaska from certifying its Senate results if Republican Dan Sullivan loses, alleging a lookalike candidate could confuse voters. Democrat Mary Peltola denies her campaign recruited him, and Alaska officials are challenging federal intervention. Midterms: With Election Day nearing, affordability and the Iran war weigh on voters as both parties fight for control of Congress. Measles Outbreaks: Pennsylvania has reported more than 1,350 cases this year, including three deaths in Lancaster County, the outbreak’s epicenter. Minnesota has recorded 80 cases, its highest total in 36 years. Health Policy: A federal judge blocked limits on Medicaid work-rule exemptions for medically vulnerable people, siding with 25 states. Economy: U.S. GDP grew at a 3.4% annual rate in the third quarter, while persistent inflation complicates the Federal Reserve’s next steps.

Election Fight: A federal judge rejected the Justice Department’s bid to set aside California ballots over citizenship questions. Orange County also declined a DOJ request for voter data, citing state and federal law, while Gov. Gavin Newsom is deploying attorneys and volunteers to monitor voting. Washington state says it is reviewing a separate federal voter-roll request. Economy: The Federal Reserve held rates at 3.75%–4% as growth strengthened, but inflation remained elevated; September inflation-adjusted disposable income fell. The decision comes days before the midterms, with voters still facing pressure from rising prices. Medicaid: A federal judge blocked a rule narrowing exemptions from Medicaid work requirements for medically vulnerable Arizonans, ruling the administration’s definition of “medical frailty” was unlawful. West Virginia: A judge temporarily halted state subpoenas seeking records from two environmental groups, finding the investigation could violate their First Amendment rights.

Midterm Fight: With Election Day days away, control of Congress is at stake, and Democrats are gaining ground in four Pennsylvania House races. Maryland officials are preparing for possible federal agents at polling places, while judges have blocked administration efforts to interfere in California’s vote and set aside ballots in Los Angeles. Federal Courts: A Manhattan judge ruled President Donald Trump’s firing of former Epstein prosecutor Maurene Comey unlawful, citing due-process and administrative-law violations. Economy: The Federal Reserve held rates at 3.75% to 4% as inflation remains elevated and voters face pressure from housing, gas and borrowing costs. Iran Conflict: The Pentagon estimates the war has cost $47.1 billion; Trump declined to rule out further action after the midterms. Nuclear Safety: A fire at South Carolina’s Savannah River nuclear laboratory prompted emergency restrictions, but officials reported no off-site radiation and later restored normal operations.

Federal Reserve: The Fed held its benchmark rate at 3.75% to 4% less than a week before the midterms, citing elevated inflation; two of 12 policymakers favored a hike. Election Disputes: Civil rights groups sued over federal investigations of naturalized citizens’ voter eligibility, while the Justice Department is challenging Alaska’s Senate election rules. Washington state also suspended enforcement of some campaign contribution caps amid legal concerns. Health Policy: A new policy allows pharmacies to supply six unapproved peptides with prescriptions, despite FDA scientists’ objections and concerns about safety. Foreign Policy: The U.S. sanctioned Rwanda’s defense ministry and a financial institution over alleged support for the M23 armed group in eastern Congo. Infrastructure: Indiana announced nearly $110 million in matching grants for road and bridge projects across 346 local governments.

Midterm Watch: With Election Day a week away, a cyberattack disrupted the Federal Election Commission’s website. Federal voter-data demands and plans for election monitoring are also drawing scrutiny as officials prepare for claims of fraud. Health Costs: Half of working-age Americans skipped needed care because of cost, a new survey found, while three in 10 are paying off medical debt. Hospitals are also closing pediatric intensive-care units, leaving some families farther from lifesaving care. Iran and Security: The U.S. military is weighing further strike options as the estimated cost of the Iran war reaches $47 billion, with energy prices emerging as an election issue. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, meanwhile, sought to reassure Southeast Asian allies that Washington remains committed to the region.

Election Security: The Federal Election Commission’s online filing system went offline after reported hacking attempts, disrupting campaign-spending disclosures a week before the midterms. The agency has not said whether the system was breached or who was responsible. Midterm Flashpoints: A federal judge signaled skepticism of the Justice Department’s last-minute effort to block certification of Alaska’s Senate race if Republican Dan Sullivan loses. In Washington state, federal officials asked election authorities to set aside ballots from more than 400 voters they suspect are noncitizens; state officials say voting is secure and fraud is rare. Trump on the Trail: In Texas, Trump touted Venezuelan oil shipments and floated making Venezuela the 51st state, a proposal that would require congressional action. State Races: Governors’ contests could steer energy and climate policy in 36 states, as voters contend with high energy costs. In Michigan, Democrat Jocelyn Benson leads Republican John James by seven points in a new poll; Virginia’s 5th District race between Republican John McGuire and Democrat Tom Perriello has tightened to a toss-up.