The Midterm Election Season is in Full Swing – “The Sunday Political Brunch” - May 24, 2026

The Midterm Election Season is in Full Swing – “The Sunday Political Brunch” - May 24, 2026

We do not have to wait until November to see all the political drama play out. Much of the action is already underway in contested primaries. And with the holiday weekend, there are plenty of remembrances and reflections. Add to all that there is breaking news in politics as we go to press time. Let’s “brunch” on all of that and more this week.

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“Shots Fired at the White House” – Late breaking Saturday night is word that one person is dead after firing at the Secret Service outside the White House. Federal agents returned fire killing the suspect. A civilian was also wounded in the gunfire. President Trump was in the White House at the time., but was unharmed.

“Trump Wins Big in Louisiana” – Woe to any Republican who crosses or opposes President Donald Trump. Sen. Bill Cassidy (R) Louisiana, is the latest Republican to learn that hard lesson, after he placed third in the Louisiana Primary. Cassidy’s fallout with Trump began when Cassidy voted with Democrats to remove the impeached Trump from office following the January 6, 2021, riots at the U.S. Capitol. Trump recruited Rep. Julia Letlow (R) Louisiana, to run against Cassidy, and State Treasurer John Fleming also jumped into the race, finishing second. Trump was thrilled at the outcome, saying on social media, “That’s what you get by voting to impeach an innocent man.” Cassidy told his supporters, “Our country is not about one individual. It is about the welfare of all Americans, and it is about the Constitution.” Letlow and Fleming will meet in the runoff election on June 27th.

“Massie’s Has Trump Troubles, Too” – Rep. Tom Massie (R) Kentucky has been the GOP’s biggest thorn in Trump’s side in Congress. He has battled with the president over everything from the Iran war to the Epstein files. He so angered Trump that the president recruited and endorsed former Navy SEAL Ed Gallrein, who was well funded. Of Massie, Trump said, “He deserves to lose.” Gallrein beat Massie, 55 percent to 45 percent. After his defeat, Massie spoke to his supporters, saying, "There is a yearning in this country for someone who will vote for principles over party. You don't like bullies, and you won't tolerate it, and I love you for it." More than $30 million was spent on the race, mostly by Gallrein. Massie said Trump “decided to buy the seat.”

“Georgia Primary” – Republicans are hoping to pick up a U.S. Senate seat by defeating Sen. Jon Ossoff (D) Georgia. There was a three-way race, including Rep. Michael Collins (R) Georgia, and former college football coach Derek Dooley. Collins received 41 percent of the vote, to Dooley’s 30 percent. The two men will have a June runoff election since neither received 50 percent. So far, Trump has stayed neutral in the race. On the other hand, Trump was involved in the Republican primary for governor. Trump backed Lt. Gov. Burt Jones (R), who leads, but still faces a runoff. One of the candidates defeated in the race was Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger (R) Georgia, who openly fought with Trump, who was trying to get the state's 2020 presidential vote overturned in Trump’s favor.

“Texas Senate Showdown” – One surprising state where Republicans are in danger of losing a U.S. Senate seat is in solid-red Texas. President Trump has now endorsed Attorney General Ken Paxton (R) Texas, over current Sen. John Cornyn (R) Texas. Early voting is already underway, with the final primary vote on Tuesday, May 26. Many other U.S. Senators wanted Trump to endorse Cornyn. The Democrat’s nominee is Rep. James Talarico (D) Texas, and he is polling well against both potential opponents. A Texas Southern University Poll has Cornyn beating Talarico 45 percent to 44 percent, with 8 percent undecided. The same poll shows Paxton and Talarico tied at 45 percent, with 8 percent undecided. No matter who wins the Republican primary, the Democrat has a legitimate shot here, and the race may decide which party controls the Senate.

“Summarize Trump’s Clout” – The footprint of President Trump on the Republican Party is enormous. Two weeks ago, his five hand-picked State Senate candidates in Indiana defeated five Republican incumbents who opposed Trump’s efforts to redraw the state’s Congressional district maps. Then his hand-picked candidates took down incumbent Senator Cassidy and incumbent Congressman Massie. And it wasn’t just his endorsement but, in all cases, it came with significant campaign cash. While he’s had clout in the primaries, it doesn’t guarantee the same result in November. If we are still dealing with military tensions with Iran and higher prices at home, his blessing could become a curse to many fellow Republican candidates. Again, the GOP majorities in both the House and Senate are razor-thin.

“Iran War Resumes?” – Of course, much of the looming midterm elections could be swayed by what is going on with the Iran war. Secretary of State Marco Rubio says negotiations with Iran were showing “a little bit of movement and that’s good.” As we head into the Memorial Day weekend, gas prices in all 50 states remain above $4.00 a gallon. On Wall Street, the Dow Jones had a good week, surging above the 51,000-point mark. But overall, I get the impression that Iran is still a powder keg with a short fuse, and the situation could blow up again if there is provocation by either side. It is interesting to note that Sen. Bill Cassidy has exacted some revenge against President Trump’s attacks. The U.S. Senate has now approved invoking the War Powers Act over Iran. Kennedy had long voted no, but this week flipped his deciding vote to yes. Trump may be forced to deal with Congress regarding further military action in Iran. The House has postponed its vote.

“A Peace Deal?” - Late Saturday President Trump announced there was a peace deal, without naming specifics, but said, opening the Strait of Hormuz, has been “largely negotiated” after calls with Israel and other allies in the region. He added, “Final aspects and details of the Deal are currently being discussed.

“Castro Indictment” – The United States indicted former Cuban President Raúl Castro and five Cuban military pilots for shooting down two private U.S. planes in 1996. Four people on those planes were American citizens who emigrated from Cuba. All were killed. One of the Cuban pilots is in U.S. custody already, but the status of Raúl Castro and the four others is not yet known. Ever since Raúl’s brother Fidel Castro seized power in the early 1960s, U.S. presidents have mulled over the idea of intervention. President Trump said Thursday, “It looks like I’ll be the one that does it.” He offered no specifics. Meanwhile, Cuba’s current President, Miguel Diaz-Canel, called Castro’s indictment a stunt “to justify the folly of a military aggression against Cuba.” I was a reporter on Capitol Hill when the planes were shot down in 1996. I fully support the indictments. My only question is, “Why did it take 30 years?”

“Memorial Day Remembrances” – I know that Memorial Day is a day for us to honor those who died in service to this country. There have been several veterans in my family, and thank God they all came home alive. My dad was a high school senior when Pearl Harbor happened. The priest who ran the school knew my dad planned to be a doctor like his dad. “They’re going to need more doctors for the war, Bill,” the priest said. He added, “Here is your bus ticket and enrollment papers for Marquette University Medical School.” My dad was 16. He never finished high school or earned an undergraduate degree. At age 22, he was an LTJG in the U.S. Navy and a doctor! He served stateside in Navy hospitals during World War II, then was called back for the Korean War.

“Family Ties to Iwo Jima” – My mom’s older brother, Lt. Col. Barney Dougherty, USMC, halted his college studies and joined the Marine Corps after Pearl Harbor. He served in some of the bloodiest battles in the South Pacific, including the battle at Iwo Jima. He fought in the deadly battle of Mount Suribachi along with my dear West Virginia friend, the late Hershel “Woody” Williams, the last surviving Medal of Honor recipient from World War II. There were actually two U.S. flags planted, not just the one depicted in the Iwo Jima Memorial and the resulting Pulitzer Prize-winning photograph. In one of them, about 15 U.S. troops marched the flag up the hillside. While the ones who actually planted it got the credit, several other Marines, including Barney, carried positions near the top of the flagpole, but had to let go when it was planted. I know another Marine who was there, and he confirmed Barney’s account as accurate. Barney came home safe, and we’re so proud of him as an American hero! Barney’s dad, Maury, served the U.S. in France during World War I.

“The Service of My Family” – Today, we are proud parents of Capt. Allie Curtis, U.S. Army, who has served for nearly nine years. She recently got engaged to a U.S. Marine helicopter pilot, and we are excited to welcome him into our family. We are so blessed and ask that you continue to pray for the health and safety of all of our fighting men and women.

Mark Curtis, Ed.D., is a South Florida-based political writer and analyst who has covered news and politics nationwide for the past 49 years. He is a multiple award winner, including two prestigious Edward R. Murrow Awards. Most recently, he served as the Chief Political Reporter for the seven Nexstar Media TV stations, covering West Virginia and its five neighboring states, as well as the Washington, DC media market. Curtis is a former Congressional Fellow who worked in the U.S. House and U.S. Senate. Over the years, he has been a contributing writer and analyst at Patch.com and other outlets, including GoLocalProv.com. His commentary and analysis can be heard every Friday at 1:45 p.m. ET on the 22-station West Virginia Metro News Radio Network. www.WVMetroNews.com.

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