Cook Political Report shifts three Senate races toward Democrats in October 2026
The Cook Political Report moved Senate races in Kansas, North Carolina, and New Hampshire in favor of Democrats in early October 2026. Kansas shifted from Lean Republican to Toss Up, North Carolina from Lean Democrat to Likely Democrat, and New Hampshire from Toss Up to Lean Democrat. The shifts reflect a broader political environment unfavorable to Republicans, attributed to Trump's low approval ratings and economic concerns.
47
Divergence score
This event sits in the top 9% of divergence this week. 8 outlets covered it, splitting into 8 framing camps across 3 bias groups.
8 camps
3 bias groups
The spectrum · how 8 outlets placed this story
LeftCenterRight
Daily Wire
Washington Examiner
CNN
Bloomberg
The Hill
Washington Post
Axios
New York Times
Supportive of action
Neutral
Dismissive
Critical
Alarmist
International angle
Widest split · the two outlets furthest apart, and who published first
Furthest apart on this story
Daily Wire
Meet The Blue State Senate Candidate Giving Dems Heartburn
GOP bright spot amid dire map · positive
New York Times
Kansas Senate Race Is a Surprising New Midterm Fight
Democratic breakthrough in traditionally Republican regions · neutral
First to report
- Daily Wirefirst
- CNN+1.6 h
- Bloomberg+4.5 h
- Washington Post+33.3 h
- The Hill+38.9 h
- Washington Examiner+39.7 h
- Axios+104.9 h
- New York Times+107.4 h
By each outlet's earliest publish time in this story. Feeds that index slowly can appear later than they printed.
The split, in one line
Coverage splits between Cook's Democratic shift expanding to unexpected GOP strongholds like Kansas, with left citing economy and war backlash, right defending traditionally red territory, and focus widening beyond Sununu's NH struggles.
How each outlet covered it
Three ways of telling it
The center isn't splitting the difference here: it's making its own case, alongside the flanks.
Divergence47
+Hide the full sourcingSee how all 8 outlets put it
LEFT3
CNNCNN Senate battleground map growing, Democrats now hopeful about Kansas 5d ago WPWashington Post Three Senate races shift toward Democrats in Cook ratings 4d ago TNew York Times Kansas Senate Race Is a Surprising New Midterm Fight 1d ago 7 tracked claims across 8 outlets
Fact ledger
All7Disputed1Claimed3Corroborated3
2/8
Disputed
Cook Political Report's rating of the New Hampshire Senate race in October 2026
Corroborated
Disputed
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