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Virginia Republican state Sen. Bryce Reeves has withdrawn from the 2026 race for Sen. Mark Warner’s (D-VA) seat due to a serious family health issue that requires him to stay in the state. He will instead pursue re-election to the state Senate, where he serves the 28th District.
“Today, after prayerful reflection and conversations with my family, I am withdrawing from the U.S. Senate race. A serious family health matter and the realities of timing require my full attention at home. My faith and my family come first,” Reeves posted on X Sunday.
“My work continues in the General Assembly to protect our AAA bond rating, strengthen our economy, and ensure Virginia remains the best place in America for our military and veterans,” he added.
Reeves stepping aside from the race leaves the Republican Party without a significant opponent to Warner, who is campaigning for a fourth term. However, the GOP is also grappling with electoral challenges in Virginia following substantial losses in the midyear elections in November as the state turns more blue.
Outgoing Rep. Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.), meanwhile, said she believes Democrats will regain control of the House in next November’s midterm elections. In an interview with Jonathan Karl that aired Sunday on ABC News’ This Week, the former House speaker and longtime Democratic leader said she views a Democratic takeover as a question of timing rather than possibility.
“So if the Democrats win the House back,” Karl said. “No, no, when,” Pelosi interjected. “When the Democrats win the House back.”
She went on to back her successor, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, to become Speaker of the House. “Hakeem Jeffries is ready, he’s eloquent, he’s respected by the members, he is a unifier,” she claimed.
Democrats need to flip three seats in order to retake control of the chamber, The Hill reported.
According to the latest forecast from the Cook Political Report, 17 House races are currently rated as “toss-ups” heading into next fall’s elections, with Republicans holding 12 of those seats.
Overall, the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee is targeting 40 districts it views as potential pickup opportunities in the 2026 midterms.
Democrats have expressed growing optimism about their midterm prospects following a series of off-year election victories last month in New Jersey, Virginia, and New York City, where candidates campaigned on pledges to reduce the cost of living.
Inflation currently stands at 2.7 percent, down from about 3 percent at the beginning of the year but still above the Federal Reserve’s 2 percent target. At the same time, President Trump has faced ongoing economic concerns from voters, including some within his own political base, factors Democrats say could shape the 2026 electoral landscape.
That said, Trump’s approval rating is beginning to tick upward again, and his chief of staff, Suzie Wiles, revealed last week that he will likely be hitting the campaign trail on behalf of GOP candidates in order to juice voter turnout.
Also, prices for many common items purchased by consumers are beginning to fall, none more dramatically that gasoline and eggs. With energy prices falling overall, that normally leads to lower food, electricity, and housing costs – which would bode well for the president and his party heading into the elections.
What’s more, Trump has floated the idea of the GOP having an early-fall convention, which he believes will give him and the GOP a chance to showcase Republican accomplishments and energize the base to get out and vote. Democrats have since suggested they, too, are considering a convention.
Democrats also have a huge popularity deficit. While the party’s overall approval rating has been tanking since last year’s presidential election, new data indicates it’s even worse now.
CNN’s chief data analyst said last week the Democratic Party’s approval rating has fallen to historic lows, with pollsters finding congressional Democrats in their worst position on record.
