Republicans Brace for 2026 Amid Mixed Election Results in Wisconsin and Florida
Early election results show Republicans maintain a House majority in Florida but lose ground in Wisconsin's Supreme Court race, raising concerns ahead of midterms.
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Republicans, however, downplayed the results as expected outcomes — criticizing some of the Republican candidates, discounting the prospect of any broader fallout from the heavy-handed role Musk played in Wisconsin, and suggesting that their candidates do a better job doubling down on explaining to voters Trump’s accomplishments, including divisive ones like his Department of Government Efficiency.
Republicans aren't panicking about Trump or Elon Musk after Tuesday’s elections
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Democrats described the results as a warning to Republicans.
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It’s an underperformance.
DeSantis slams GOP winner in Florida special election: ‘He’s a squish’
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Victories for Patronis, who served as Florida's chief financial officer, and state Sen. Fine means Republicans will have a 220-213 majority in the House for the time being.
EXCLUSIVE: Jubilant Mike Johnson claims victory as Florida helps House GOP grow majority
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The win solidifies a liberal majority on the state's high court for at least three years.
House Republicans Score Big Wins in Special Elections, but so do Wisconsin Democrats
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The special elections in Florida were held to replace former Republican Reps. Matt Gaetz, who was Trump’s initial nominee for attorney general before withdrawing, and Michael Waltz, who serves as Trump’s national security advisor.
‘It’s A Turnout Game’: Scott Jennings Gives GOP Blunt Advice About ‘Lower-Propensity Voters’
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The elections — the first major contests since Trump’s return to power — were seen as an early measure of voter sentiment as Trump works with unprecedented speed to dramatically upend the federal government, clashing with the courts and seeking revenge as he tests the bounds of presidential power.
Wisconsin and Florida special elections provide early warning signs to Trump, Republicans
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Watching the Wisconsin Supreme Court election returns come in last night, I’m sure I wasn’t the only person who found himself humming—even occasionally singing!—the great University of Wisconsin fight song, “On, Wisconsin!”
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That’s a warning to the GOP that the Trump-Musk governing style is stirring a backlash that could cost them control of Congress next year.
WSJ Declares Election Results a 'Backlash' to Trump and Musk
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A lot has changed in six months.
In first big test of Trump’s second term, voters tell GOP what it didn’t want to hear
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Crawford’s win entrenched the existing 4–3 progressive majority on the powerful state Supreme Court, which is now expected to take up crucial cases on abortion rights, labor rights, and voting rights.
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The elections — the first major contests since Trump's return to power — were seen as an early measure of voter sentiment as Trump works with unprecedented speed to dramatically upend the federal government, clashing with the courts and seeking revenge as he tests the bounds of presidential power.
Wisconsin and Florida elections provide early warning signs to Trump and Republicans
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Summary
Early election results from Wisconsin and Florida depict a complex political landscape as Republicans scored narrow victories in special House elections but lost a critical Supreme Court race in Wisconsin. The GOP retained its House majority in Florida with Randy Fine and Jimmy Patronis winning by 14 points, but their margins fell significantly from previous elections, raising alarm. Democrats, buoyed by Susan Crawford's 10-point victory over Trump-backed Brad Schimel in Wisconsin, view it as a rebuke of Trump and Elon Musk's influence. Both parties are strategizing for upcoming elections, emphasizing voter turnout and local issues.
Perspectives
Democrats saw significant gains in the Wisconsin Supreme Court race, with liberal Judge Susan Crawford winning by a 10-point margin, signaling a potential backlash against Trump and Musk's influence in state politics.
In Florida, while Republicans maintained control in special elections, candidates underperformed compared to previous election margins, indicating potential voters' dissatisfaction with the GOP despite holding strongholds.
Overall, these elections signal a challenging landscape for Republicans as they grapple with the aftereffects of Trump's presidency and the influence of billionaire donors like Elon Musk.
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