The Campaign Trail Marches on to November - “The Sunday Political Brunch” - August 23, 2026

It has been another fascinating week with mixed results in the 2026 primary season. And a new issue has emerged that may influence how many people vote. Let’s “brunch” on that and more:

“Ú.S. National Debt Soars” – This past week, the U.S. national debt went over the $40 trillion mark for the first time. If the economy is the chief issue in this year’s midterm elections, then this adds more fuel to the fire. The national debt stood at $9.3 trillion during the Great Recession of 2008, then tripled during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. White House spokesman Kush Desai said the Trump administration “has been focused on slashing waste, fraud, and abuse in federal spending while accelerating economic growth to get America’s debt-to-GDP ratio trending in the right direction.” I am not sure how voters embrace that while paying more at the gas pump and grocery store. Margaret Spellings, CEO of the Bipartisan Policy Center, issued a statement saying, “The federal debt is already raising the cost of living and choking out other spending and investment, threatening our economy and Americans’ long-term prosperity.”

“Another Socialist Democrat Wins” – In most primaries this year, Democrats have shown a continuing pattern. They are faced with choosing between mainstream party regulars and the more left-leaning socialist Democrats. The results are mixed, but the progressive socialists have won a surprising number of races. It happened again this past week in Florida. State Rep. Angie Nixon (D) Florida, the socialist, defeated well-financed former national security expert Alex Vindman, a moderate. As an advisor, Vindman played a key role in President Trump’s first impeachment. Nixon now faces Sen. Ashley Moody (R) Florida, in November.

“Trump’s Endorsement Power?” – A win in Florida, but a loss in Wyoming. Rep. Byron Donalds, who is African-American, was endorsed by President Trump early on in the race for Florida governor. Donalds won the primary between five candidates, taking 48 percent of the vote. He will face former Republican Congressman David Jolly, who switched to the Democratic Party. Jolly’s running mate is former Rep. Gwen Graham (D) Florida, the daughter of the late, popular Gov. and Sen. Bob Graham. This could be a very expensive, brutal race, but for now Democrats have a legitimate shot in a red-leaning state. In Wyoming, Trump endorsed State School Superintendent Megan Degenfelder for governor, but she lost. Wyoming is now the fifth state where a Trump-endorsed candidate for governor has lost.

“Another Trump Loss Coming?” – In South Carolina, Trump endorsed Sen. Darline Graham, who was appointed to replace her late brother, Sen. Lindsay Graham. Graham won the initial primary, but did not capture a majority. So, this week she faces Rep. Ralph Norman (R) South Carolina, in the runoff primary for the nomination. The two debated last week, but Graham stumbled badly during the live forum. She was asked if the U.S. had a national security interest in the South China Sea and in Taiwan. Graham said, “National security is not my thing.” She added, “I’m not that informed on national security.” It was, of course, one of her brother’s signature issues. Challenger Norman called her out in the debate, suggesting she was not qualified, saying, “By her choice, she’s running for the United States Senate. It’s a six-year term. You need to get fully versed in what issues you’re going to be dealing with. This isn’t a get training on the job, you can’t do that.” We’ll see what voters say Tuesday.

“More Black Governors?” – The nomination of Rep. Byron Donalds for governor in Florida is fascinating. As of now, eight states have nominated Black candidates as major party nominees for governor in November. That has never happened before. Right now, Gov. Wes Moore (D) of Maryland is the only African-American governor, but that could certainly change in a big way. Gov. Moore is up for reelection this year. Florida nominee Donalds is joined by House Speaker Lisa Demuth (R) Minnesota, County Executive David Crowley (D) Wisconsin, former Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms (D) Georgia, Rep. John James (R) Michigan, Attorney General Aaron Ford (D) Nevada, and State Rep. Jermaine Jackson (D) South Carolina, as Black gubernatorial nominees. This will be fascinating to watch on Election Day.

“Florida Primary” – I live in the 20^th Congressional District in Florida, and we had one of the year’s most contentious races. Former Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick ran for the same seat she just resigned from in June. She is facing a federal fraud trial. Cherfilus-McCormick is Black and so are three of the other Democratic candidates. This is a majority-Black district. Meanwhile, the only White candidate in the race was Rep. Debbie Wasserman Shultz, who has served 22 years in Congress from her current district. But Republicans redrew Congressional districts this year, and carved Shultz into the new district. Many Black Democrats were furious, as this district has had a Black U.S. Representative for the past 34 years. Cherfilus-McCormick said, “It’s a complete erasure of our history, our fight for Black access.” But Schultz won the primary with 45 percent of the vote and said, “I have represented diverse communities. I know how to tailor my service to them and represent a district more broadly.”

“Unmasked in Alaska” – I won’t lie. It’s my favorite offbeat, weird, political story of the year. Incumbent Sen. Daniel S. Sullivan (R) Alaska, was challenged by Republican Daniel J. Sullivan, a former school teacher, in the open primary that included all parties. Many have said it was a “setup” by former U.S. Rep. Mary Peltola (D-AK), the likely Democratic nominee in November, to cause confusion and maybe an upset in the primary. Peltola and Daniel J Sullivan denied any collusion. Peltola leads with 48 percent to 43 percent for Sen. Sullivan. Daniel J. Sullivan was in third place with just 2 percent of the vote. The fourth spot remains too close to call. In the end, the top four vote-getters, regardless of party, will face off in a ranked-choice vote in November. What a bizarre system! This is one of a handful of Senate races that could determine which party controls the upper chamber of Congress.

“Supreme Court on Trump Lawsuit” – For the second time, the U.S. Supreme Court has refused to throw out a $5 million judgment against President Trump. Writer E. Jean Carroll says Trump sexually abused her in a department store in the mid-1990s. A civil jury awarded her a $5.8 million judgment, and also awarded her another $83 million for Trump defaming her in 2019. The White House and Justice Department say Trump is immune from the latter penalty, because he was president at the time of his remarks and therefore has immunity. The Supreme Court has yet to decide if it will take up that part of the case. Carroll’s attorney Roberta Kaplan issued a statement saying, “As a result, the jury’s unanimous verdict that Donald Trump sexually assaulted and then defamed E. Jean Carroll is now final and cannot be challenged in any court.” Trump continues to deny the allegations. He was never criminally charged in this case.

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. For ten years, he was the Chief Political Reporter for seven Nexstar Media TV stations, covering the Washington DC media market, West Virginia, and its five neighboring states. 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. His commentary and analysis air 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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