Election Debate News

What did candidates say on the debate stage? Read Election Debate News for debate schedules, key policy exchanges, candidate statements, fact checks, and post-debate reactions in presidential, congressional, gubernatorial, and other major election contests.
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  • opinion

    Texas Law Enforcement Miscast as Villains in Immigration Debate
    Legacy media have been sounding the alarm about deportations in Texas, but they are leaving out key details, painting law enforcement as criminals—and criminals as the victims.  One recent example is an investigative article on police in the small town of Ingram, Texas. The Ingram Police Department joined Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s 287(g) program in…
    Lauren Washburn
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  • news

    Tafoya Uses Minnesota Senate Debate to Make Election a Referendum on Flanagan’s Record 
    Republican Michele Tafoya took Democrat Peggy Flanagan to task for her dismal record as lieutenant governor in the first, and potentially only, debate between the two Minnesota U.S. Senate candidates. Hosted by NPR News on Friday, the showdown came just 18 days before the midterms.  Tafoya had previously appeared for a KSTP debate that Flanagan…
    Caroline Berkness
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  • news

    Collins and Ossoff Face Off in Heated Debate: Take Two
    ATLANTA–Rep. Mike Collins and Sen. Jon Ossoff took the stage Tuesday night for the second time in a debate, exchanging fiery words and accusations. The exchange comes following a debate last week where candidates clashed over affordability, healthcare, and more. Collins spoke first, painting a picture of the stark contrast between him and Ossoff. He…
    Rebecca Buis
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  • news

    Collins vs. Ossoff Debate: Biggest Takeaways
    On Thursday night, Sen. Jon Ossoff and Rep. Mike Collins took the stage in Doraville, Georgia, to face off against each other in a heated debate. The event comes at a crucial time leading up to the midterm elections, with Election Day just weeks away, and early voting starting next Tuesday. The three main topics…
    Rebecca Buis
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  • news

    There’s No Debate in Many Virginia Races This Year
    In the highly contested Senate race in Maine, Republican Sen. Susan Collins and her Democrat opponent Troy Jackson plan to go head-to-head in four debates. Unfortunately, voters in Virginia won’t have the luxury of getting many chances to hear from congressional candidates. In fact, in many races, there will be no debate at all this…
    Rich Tucker
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  • news

    Jackson vs. Bottoms: 3 Biggest Takeaways From the Peach State Debate
    Affordability, health care, and technology: These were three main issues that former Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms and health care executive Rick Jackson were faced with during Tuesday night’s gubernatorial debate in Doraville, Georgia. The two candidates took the stage, and immediately, attacks began. Bottoms opened by saying, “While my opponent is running to enrich himself…
    Rebecca Buis
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  • news

    Nunn Wants to Debate. Trone Garriott Wants to Fundraise.
    Iowa Democrat Sarah Trone Garriott has refused to debate her Republican opponent, Rep. Zach Nunn, before early voting begins. The U.S. House candidate says she is unavailable until two weeks after voting is already underway. According to a transcript of a phone call between the two campaigns, obtained by the Daily Signal, Trone Garriott’s campaign…
    Virginia Grace McKinnon
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  • news

    Hilton vs. Becerra: Top 3 Moments From the California Governor Debate
    Affordability, immigration, and, of course, plenty of Trump. Here are the biggest moments from Wednesday night’s California gubernatorial debate. No. 1: ‘Trump, Trump, Trump’ When asked about how he’d address affordability in the most expensive state in the country, Republican Steve Hilton brought up his plan to eliminate state income taxes on the first $150,000…
    Angelina Delfin
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  • opinion

    I Debated One of Charlie Kirk’s Rivals. Her Response Was Shocking.
    Gen Z leads every generation on markers of progressive politics: support for more expansive government, LGBTQ+ identification, and even a rejection of religion—especially among young women. Maybe our parents are right about those phones: In 2026, social media and video networks became the world’s most widely used news source. More people than ever now get…
    Liana Graham
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  • analysis

    Texas Legislators Demand Accountability as Flock Camera Debate Grows
    Texas often sets the standard for red-state policies—from the Second Amendment to protecting unborn babies to economic freedom. Now, amid public backlash to Flock cameras, state legislators are leading calls for accountability. Texas is estimated to have at least 13,000 Flock cameras, along with roughly 1,000 other similar devices, according to DeFlock, an anti-surveillance group…
    Lauren Washburn
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  • analysis

    Texas Governor’s Race Could Hinge on Data Center Debate 
    Data centers are emerging as a major issue in the 2026 Texas governor’s race, with Gov. Greg Abbott and Democrat challenger Gina Hinojosa taking different positions on growth, tax incentives, and impact on communities.
    Emily Medeiros
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  • news

    Macy Declines Cline’s Proposed Debate Schedule in Virginia’s 6th Congressional District
    Voters in Virginia’s 6th Congressional District will be able to attend or observe a debate between sitting Republican Rep. Ben Cline and Democrat challenger Beth Macy. However, it won’t be this week. Macy challenged Cline to three exchanges this year. Last week, Cline announced that not only had he accepted, but he also had scheduled…
    Rich Tucker
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  • news

    Data Center Debate Draws Contrast Between Democrats and GOP in Georgia
    Data centers are shaping politics and elections across the country, but that is especially true in Georgia, which has a critical gubernatorial election and a Senate race that could determine the balance of power in Washington. Democrats and Republicans are scrambling to solidify their policies toward data centers in the Peach State. Their approaches and…
    Rebecca Buis
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  • analysis

    How the Transgender Movement Lost the Power to End Debate
    Transgender activists once used maximalist legal arguments to force their worldview on American society, but now they’re arguing defensively. Activists are accusing the government of trying to silence them and take away their health care benefits. To some degree, this strategy represents a legal response to President Donald Trump’s reelection, but it also reveals an…
    Tyler O’Neil
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  • news

    Darline Graham Admits in Debate She Lacks National Security Knowledge
    During South Carolina’s Republican Senate primary debate on Tuesday, the sister of former Sen. Lindsey Graham failed to answer a national security question when asked by the moderator, admitting “national security is not my thing.” “Are Taiwan and the South China Sea national security threats to the United States, and if so, why?” the moderator…
    Pedro Rodriguez
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  • opinion

    ‘Sharia Takeover’? What Conservatives Miss in the Debate Over Airport Foot Washing
    Conservatives who are serious about combatting the threat of Islamism need to be very careful not to undermine our case by attacking reasonable accommodations for peaceful Muslims. Muslim reformer M. Zuhdi Jasser has long warned against the threat of Islamism, the political approach to Islam that aims at conquest and subjugation. However, he also has…
    Tyler O’Neil
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  • news

    Voter Perception Leans Toward El-Sayed After ‘Abolish ICE’ Comment During Debate
    Abdul El-Sayed is leading Rep. Haley Stevens, D-Mich., by 15 points ahead of next week’s Democrat primary for the open Senate seat, according to a new poll, marking a sharp rise in support for the progressive candidate after Tuesday night’s Democrat debate. An Emerson College Polling/WLNS/WOODTV survey released Thursday showed El-Sayed handily defeating Stevens in…
    Pedro Rodriguez
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  • news

    Dem Senate Debate Devolves Into Campaign Funding Finger Pointing
    Dr. Abdul El-Sayed and Rep. Haley Stevens, D-Mich., went head-to-head in the second and final Michigan Democratic Senate primary debate on Monday night. While Michigan voters may have hoped to learn the policy differences between the two Democrats, what they got instead was finger pointing about campaign funding and hateful speech. “Well, I don’t think…
    Francesca Cella
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  • news

    Texas Senate Reviews Foreign Surrogacy Amid Birthright Citizenship Debate
    Earlier this year, Texas Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick announced the 2026 interim legislative charges, directing lawmakers to examine the exploitation of surrogacy and review the unethical and foreign interests operating within Texas’ surrogacy and fertility industries. On Wednesday, the Texas Senate Committee on Health and Human Services heard testimony on foreign nationals contracting with Texas…
    Emily Medeiros
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  • news

    The Abortion Misinformation Debate That Could Put Women at Risk
    In a recent interview with Tara Palmeri, Rep. Kat Cammack, R-Fla., was unexpectedly asked about the life-threatening ectopic pregnancy she experienced in 2024. The discussion the interview sparked between pro-life and pro-abortion advocates online uncovered the dangerous spread of misinformation surrounding abortion laws. The video interview, titled “What Happens When Pro-Life Congresswoman Cammack Needs an…
    Virginia Grace McKinnon
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