The midterm map is beginning to take shape

The midterm map is beginning to take shape

Author: NPR February 10, 2026 Duration: 22:53

Beginning in March, voters will start picking their preferred candidates to run for House and Senate races throughout the country. With a record number of incumbents retiring, we look at what seats are especially competitive & the issues that might play big roles in how voters make up their minds.


This episode: voting correspondent Miles Parks, political reporter Stephen Fowler, and senior political editor & correspondent Domenico Montanaro.


This podcast was produced and edited by Casey Morell & Bria Suggs.


Our executive producer is Muthoni Muturi.


Listen to every episode of the NPR Politics Podcast sponsor-free, unlock access to bonus episodes with more from the NPR Politics team, and support public media when you sign up for The NPR Politics Podcast+ at plus.npr.org/politics.



See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences.

NPR Privacy Policy


If your day feels incomplete without a deep dive into the latest from Capitol Hill or the campaign trail, you’ve found your daily briefing. The NPR Politics Podcast brings together NPR's seasoned political journalists each weekday afternoon, offering clarity on the headlines that shape our nation. This isn't just a rapid-fire news update; it's a conversation that digs into the substance behind the soundbites. The team provides essential context, helping to untangle complex legislative maneuvers and electoral strategies so you understand not only what's occurring, but the real-world implications of every decision and debate. By focusing on the "why" behind the news, this podcast transforms daily political coverage into something genuinely substantive. For those who want to go even deeper, the subscription option offers a way to support the work directly and listen without interruptions. Tune in for reliable, thoughtful analysis that cuts through the noise, making sense of a rapidly changing political landscape.
Author: Language: en-us Episodes: 100

The NPR Politics Podcast
Podcast Episodes
JD Vance stumps for Hungary’s Orbán [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 21:54
Vice President JD Vance was in Hungary this week campaigning for Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, who faces a tough path to reelection. We discuss why the Trump White House is backing Orbán, and whether that support fits int…
What did the United States and Iran just agree to? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 19:08
In the last day and a half, President Trump threatened to wipe out Iranian “civilization,” then announced a two-week ceasefire. We discuss what we know about the terms the United States and Iran are negotiating, and wher…
Voters decide whether Virginia enters redistricting fight [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 18:08
Voting ends April 21 in Virginia's special election that will decide whether the state redraws its congressional districts to favor Democrats. We discuss how the state fits into the national mid-decade redistricting craz…
Trump says Iran can be "taken out" in one night [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 20:14
President Trump held a press conference at the White House Monday. He discussed the latest developments in the war with Iran, as well as other topics. We break down what was said, and why it matters.This episode: senior…
Trump tries to sell the Iran war, a month after it started [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 28:14
It was a particularly busy week in politics. We discuss President Trump’s prime-time address about the Iran war, Pam Bondi’s exit as attorney general, rising gas prices, and the White House’s request for an unprecedented…
Trump tries to shape mail-in voting with executive order [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 19:05
President Trump signed an executive order that seeks to create federal lists of eligible voters and directs the U.S. Postal Service not to send mail-in ballots to anyone not on those lists. We discuss why experts say thi…
Trump addresses war with Iran [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 9:28
In a televised, primetime address, President Trump discussed the ongoing U.S. war with Iran, and said the war would be over "shortly." We analyze what the president said, and discuss his claims.This episode: All Things C…
SCOTUS hears birthright citizenship arguments [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 24:56
At issue in the case is whether children born in the United States to people in the country without legal status should receive U.S. citizenship under the 14th Amendment. Justices heard oral arguments today, and we break…
Should all babies born in the United States be citizens? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 19:09
The Supreme Court is set to hear oral arguments Wednesday in Trump v. Barbara, a case challenging President Trump’s executive order denying citizenship to children born to people without permanent legal immigration statu…
The Senate DHS funding deal fell apart. Now what? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 11:28
There was a glimmer of hope for the Department of Homeland Security after the Senate passed a funding bill early Friday morning. Then the House rejected the deal, and Congress left town. We discuss what comes next and wh…