Seth McLaughlin
Articles by Seth McLaughlin
Maine Sen. Susan Collins balances uneasy affiliation with Trump in quest for sixth term
The reelection prospects of Sen. Susan Collins of Maine could hinge on how well she walks a political tightrope of distancing herself from President Trump while reminding voters of the legislative accomplishments and federal dollars she has brought back to the state on his watch. Published February 10, 2026
Sen. Susan Collins launches reelection bid in ‘toss-up’ Maine Senate race
Sen. Susan Collins said Tuesday she's running for a sixth term representing Maine, pitching herself as an independent problem-solver who wants to push back against the partisan fighting in Washington. Published February 10, 2026
Left-wing upset brewing in New Jersey after pro-Israel push against establishment Democrat
The left wing of the Democratic Party is on the verge of a win in the race to replace Gov. Mikie Sherrill in New Jersey's 11th Congressional District, and, oddly enough, it may have the pro-Israel lobby to thank. Published February 9, 2026
Cornyn trails Paxton in Texas Senate GOP primary; Crockett leads Talarico in Democratic race
Sen. John Cornyn's reelection bid is looking shaky in Texas. Published February 9, 2026
Maryland Gov. Wes Moore says Democrats have ‘oligation’ to consider new congressional map
Gov. Wes Moore says the Maryland state Senate has an "obligation to vote" on legislation to redraw the state's congressional map -- a move Democrats hope will help them flip a seat in the midterm elections. Published February 8, 2026
Massie calls for commerce secretary to resign after new Epstein revelations
Rep. Thomas Massie says Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick should step down after newly released files revealed he had more contact with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein than he previously acknowledged. Published February 8, 2026
Trump calls Hess a ‘real loser’ after U.S. Olympic skier airs ambivalence representing nation
President Trump is not a fan of U.S. Olympic skier Hunter Hess, casting him as anti-American. Published February 8, 2026
Election law about citizenship needed, GOP says, but Democrats sound alarm over access to ballot
Sen. Bill Hagerty of Tennessee says the national fight over election-law changes really comes down to one issue: requiring proof of citizenship to vote. Published February 8, 2026
Ball is in the GOP’s court on DHS funding standoff, House minority leader says
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries says he's not confident Congress will strike a deal to keep the Department of Homeland Security funded and it's up to Republicans to break the stalemate. Published February 8, 2026
Virginia Democrats go all in on tax hikes after campaigning on affordability
Virginia Republicans are questioning whether their Democratic counterparts have a case of political amnesia after rolling out a long list of proposed tax increases that threaten to undercut Gov. Abigail Spanberger's affordability message. Published February 5, 2026
Democrats’ surprise win in Texas sends shock waves through GOP race for U.S. Senate
Sen. John Cornyn's allies say the GOP's surprising loss in a recent state legislative special election is yet another sign that making Attorney General Ken Paxton the party's Senate nominee this fall is a gamble Republicans shouldn't take. Published February 4, 2026
McConnell, 83, checks himself into hospital, adding to health concerns
Sen. Mitch McConnell's health is back in the spotlight this week after he checked himself into a hospital with flu-like symptoms. Published February 4, 2026
‘Radical Left flamethrower’: Trump blames Massie’s wife for congressman’s disloyalty
President Trump is taking a personal turn in his attacks on Rep. Thomas Massie, claiming the Kentucky Republican has shifted left politically -- and pinning the blame on Mr. Massie's new wife. Published February 2, 2026
Texas special-election stunner energizes Democrats, triggers GOP ‘wake-up call’
Texas Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick's warning that a special election loss in a state Senate race should be a "wake-up call" for the Republican Party has become a familiar refrain since President Trump returned to office. Published February 2, 2026
Trump’s deportation surge loses big in Texas court, but prevails in Minnesota
The Justice Department plans to appeal a federal judge's scathing ruling that freed 5-year-old Liam Conejo Ramos and his father and suggested the Trump administration was acting immorally and violating the founding principles of the Declaration of Independence. Published February 1, 2026
Trump shrugs off Democratic upset in deep-red Texas
President Trump brushed off a surprise Democratic win in a Texas state Senate special election -- even though it happened in a district that tends to be solidly Republican. Published February 1, 2026
Trump endorses Sununu in New Hampshire Senate race
President Trump has formally thrown his support behind John E. Sununu in New Hampshire's U.S. Senate race, cementing the candidate's frontrunner status in the GOP primary. Published February 1, 2026
Arrest of Don Lemon sparks debate over free speech rights versus freedom of religion
Don Lemon's arrest has set off a very public clash between free-speech advocates and those who argue the case raises serious religious-freedom concerns. Published February 1, 2026
Justice Department declares Epstein review complete, as Democrats dispute compliance with law
Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche said Sunday that, as far as the Department of Justice is concerned, its review of files on sex offender Jeffrey Epstein "is over." Published February 1, 2026
Deputy AG Blanche promises appeal to judge’s order to free 5-year-old and father from ICE custody
Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche says the Trump administration plans to appeal a judge's order requiring the release of a 5-year-old boy and his father who were detained by federal immigration agents in Minneapolis last week. Published February 1, 2026
