‘Bordering on angry’: The state of play as US midterms enter final month

What the report says

Democrats and Republicans are heading into the final month of the US midterm campaign with different strengths, according to Al Jazeera’s report from Washington, DC on October 3, 2026. Democrats are viewed as having the momentum in the battle for control of the House and Senate, while Republicans are trying to limit losses with heavy spending and a late push by President Donald Trump and party donors.

The article says Trump enters the stretch with very low approval ratings, including weak numbers on the economy, which remains voters’ top concern. Al Jazeera reported that analysts see the House as leaning toward Democrats, with some race ratings shifting in their favor and projections suggesting they could gain enough seats to win control. That would give Democrats more leverage in Congress and the ability to press investigations into Trump’s administration and business ties.

In the Senate, the picture is more competitive, with several Republican-held seats described as close or trending toward Democrats. The report highlights races in North Carolina, Texas, Ohio, Alaska, Iowa and Maine, alongside Democratic advantages in some seats the party already holds. Because only a limited number of Senate seats are contested this cycle, small shifts could affect control.

Money is also shaping the race. Al Jazeera reported that the campaign is on pace to become one of the most expensive midterms on record, with billions already spent on advertising and Republicans outspending Democrats in several key contests. More broadly, the piece notes that outside groups and so-called dark-money spending are playing a larger role, adding to the intensity of the final weeks.