With Labor Day this weekend, we’re now entering the final stretch of campaign season before the 2026 midterms. If you trust the polls, it might be a rough one for the Republicans, but there are those who believe that those polls could be underestimating the GOP.
According to Zoose Political Index founder Patrick Allocco, don’t expect a blue wave to carry James Talarico into the Senate here in Texas. He recently spoke with Newsmax, saying: “Paxton has a proven Republican coalition, and we think the GOP turnout machine can overcome the current polling deficit.”
But Texas isn’t the only close race that Allocco thinks is being overlooked. He also pointed to Michigan, where Republican Mike Rogers is set to take on the DSA candidate Abdul El-Sayed. According to Allocco, El-Sayed’s DSA affiliations are going to hurt him. He said: “We’ve been writing for a month about the fracture inside the Democratic big tent. We believe some moderate Democrats stay home.”
He also pointed out that redistricting, as well as President Trump becoming a more active campaigner, might not have been considered in these national polls. “Republicans have the advantage of the map, and Democrats have the advantage of the national mood. Trump is now fully engaged, and we just saw in South Carolina how his involvement can energize the Republican base.”