Midterm Meltdown
The Republican Party was dealt a devastating blow on Election Night. The GOP went from holding majorities in both the U.S. House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate to finding itself with a minority in both chambers.
But first, some good news.
Eagle Forum made many endorsements in House, Senate, and state races. Out of 19 endorsed candidates who advanced to the general election, 15 candidates won, two lost, and two races have not been decided yet. The winning Eagle Forum PAC endorsed candidates are those who strive to uphold constitutional principles and fight to protect American families. They have pledged to stand firm on issues such as protecting unborn life, fiscal responsibility, safeguarding children from transgender activism, and securing our borders. You can find those endorsements here.
While we celebrate all these victories, several races deserve special attention.
In Texas’s congressional district 32, Eagle Forum PAC endorsed Jace Yarbrough – an Air Force veteran and classical educator. While Republican districts across the country were flipping to Democrat, Yarbrough reversed the tide and flipped his district to Republican by nearly three percentage points. His victory was a bright spot in an otherwise difficult night for the GOP.
Nebraska’s Senate race was another exciting victory. Senator Pete Ricketts was appointed to the Senate in 2023 when Ben Sasse vacated the seat. He has been a leader on many pro-family issues including protecting children from intoxicating hemp. Sen. Ricketts ran a tough race against Independent Dan Osborne who claimed to be a moderate. Fortunately, Sen. Ricketts will return to the Senate for a full term by winning by more than six percentage points.
Once Arizona’s 2nd Congressional district is officially decided, it will likely take the title for closest on our list. Republican incumbent Eli Crane is narrowly ahead of Jonathan Nez by nearly 1,000 votes. Rep. Crane has been an outspoken fighter for securing our borders and advancing a conservative agenda in Congress. We are hopeful he will prevail.
Perhaps the biggest upset of the night came in Michigan’s U.S. Senate race. Former Congressman Mike Rogers, a Republican, faced Democrat Socialist Abdul El-Sayed, one of the nation’s most ideologically extreme candidates. El-Sayed campaigned on Medicare for All, questioned Israel’s right to exist, and has faced allegations of family ties to the Muslim Brotherhood. In an unexpected move, Hayley Stevens, who lost to El-Sayed in the Democratic primary, endorsed Rogers just days before the general election.
While Stevens’ endorsement may have attracted some moderate voters to Rogers, he also alienated many pro-life voters with a last-minute statement promising to respect Michigan’s very liberal abortion laws and not support federal legislation that would undermine this. Rogers lost to El-Sayed by roughly 7% of the vote. Alienating pro-life voters right before election day is a sure way to get them to stay home.
Even long-term Republicans had very challenging races. Senator Susan Collins (R-ME) has served in the Senate for nearly 30 years. She was moderate on many issues, including abortion, and voted against the One Big Beautiful Bill. Democrats originally nominated Graham Platner who was forced to step aside in July due to numerous sexual misconduct scandals. A former state senate President, Troy Jackson, immediately stepped into the race and crossed the finish line, ending Collins’ Senate career.
North Carolina Republicans had a particularly difficult night. Rep. Richard Hudson, a seven-term Congressman and chairman of the National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC), lost to Democrat Richard Ojeda, a former West Virginia state senator and unsuccessful 2020 presidential candidate. Former North Carolina Republican Party Chairman and head of the RNC in 2024, Michael Whatley, also lost his Senate bid to former Governor Roy Cooper, a Democrat. Meanwhile, Rep. Virginia Foxx, a Republican who has served 11 terms in the House and chairs the House Rules Committee remains in a nail-biter. As of Wednesday evening, she trails by just 99 votes. In all, North Carolina lost six Republican seats in Congress.
State ballot initiatives also produced several disappointing outcomes for pro-family and pro-life voters. Nevada, and Virginia approved constitutional amendments enshrining abortion rights, while Missouri voters rejected a ballot initiative that would have protected children by both repealing abortion protections and prohibiting gender transition for minors. Virginia voters also approved a constitutional amendment recognizing same-sex marriage.
Yet, there were encouraging victories amid these setbacks. Idaho rejected an amendment that would have legalized abortion in the state. The pro-life position carried the day with over 55% of voters supporting the unborn.
Protecting girls’ sports proved to be an issue that transcended party lines. Voters in Nebraska, Colorado, Arizona, and Washington State supported measures to keep boys out of girls’ sports. The results in Colorado and Washington are particularly noteworthy, as both states elected exclusively Democratic delegations to the U.S. House of Representatives. These victories demonstrate that protecting fairness and opportunities for female athletes resonates beyond traditional partisan boundaries.
Election integrity also received considerable attention at the ballot box. Voters considered several measures requiring proof of citizenship or voter identification to cast a ballot. Of the six citizenship-verification measures, five passed and only one failed. Voter ID measures produced a more divided outcome, with four passing and three failing. Despite the mixed results, the victories reflect continued voter support for safeguards intended to protect the integrity of American elections.
As Republicans grapple with the shock of losing both chambers of Congress, we must ask ourselves how we got here and, more importantly, how we rebuild. The American people’s trust in the Republican Party has been severely damaged. Voters sent Republicans to Washington, D.C., expecting them to champion family values and America first policies. Instead, infighting and misplaced priorities left too many Americans feeling that their voices were not being heard. Eagle Forum’s statement on the results voiced many of these concerns:
Despite lower crime rates, stopping illegal immigration, and preventing certain tax increases, too many people still feel their priorities are not being addressed. Prices are still too high, despite promises to the contrary. The causes are complex including both long-term systemic problems like uncontrollable entitlements, Obamacare, fraud, and an unwillingness to reduce government programs in any real way and short-term issues including inconsistent tariff policies and an unfinished conflict in Iran.
We also encourage conservative to follow the U.S. Constitution and “rededicate themselves to preserving the primacy of the family, the sanctity of life, personal responsibility, fiscal prudence, and the highest ethical standards.” Doing so starts in our homes and in our communities.
Our work at Eagle Forum continues at the federal and state levels to educate Americans of all ages on the threats to our freedoms while bringing the voice of the grassroots to Capitol buildings across the nation. If you have not already connected with your state chapter, you can find that information here. No Eagle Forum chapter in your state? Consider starting one! Also, consider making a difference by getting involved in your local GOP chapter or run for office.
The 2028 presidential election will be here before we know it. Republicans will need committed delegates to help shape the GOP platform and participate in the national convention. The groundwork for a stronger Republican Party must begin now.
