Month: January 2026

2028 Presidential Primaries Being Planned By Democratic Party: Battle Of 12 States For First Four Slots!

With 2026 upon us, the Democratic Party is now considering which states to put in the forefront as “early” states to hold primaries or caucuses early in 2028 for the Presidential nomination.

Four states will be selected by the Democratic National Committee from a total of 12 states from four regions competing.

East—New Hampshire, Delaware

South—Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Tennessee

Midwest—Michigan, Illinois, Iowa

West—Nevada, New Mexico

In the past, New Hampshire, South Carolina, Iowa, and Nevada have been favored as “early” state contests for delegates.

However, this author and blogger, after much consideration, has the view that the four states that should go first, are:

New Hampshire
Virginia
Michigan
New Mexico

On Tragic Anniversary Of Second Trump Inauguration, Three Republicans Share The Greatest Blame And Responsibility For Unhinged Donald Trump!

On the tragic Anniversary of the Second Trump Inauguration, three Republicans share the greatest blame and responsibility for the unhinged Donald Trump and his authoritarian bent.

As leaders of the legislative and judicial branches, they had the responsibility to protect American democracy, the US Constitution, and the rule of law, which they have totally failed at doing.

This is referring to

Speaker of the House Mike Johnson
Senate Majority Leader John Thune
Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts

One might claim that no one could expect them to control their party members in both chambers, and the other Supreme Court Justices.

But this author and blogger vehemently disagrees.

The two legislators were more interested in protecting their own positions than doing what was right, refuse to support and endorse the horrors perpetrated by Donald Trump and his Cabinet in the past year.

And Chief Justice Roberts could have worked with the three Democratic members of the Supreme Court, and with Trump appointees Amy Coney Barrett and Brett Kavanaugh to insure judicial intervention to curb Trump’s authoritarian bent.

So Johnson, Thune, and Roberts are NOT Profiles in Courage, but rather Betrayers of their oaths of office, and their names and reputations in history long term will be that they were villains, enemies of American democracy!

They have solidified their negative stain on history, which will never be overcome, as they should be perceived as Traitors!

One Year Of Donald Trump, Second Term: Chaos, Anarchy, Cruelty, Instability, Authoritarian Actions!

Tomorrow marks the end of Year One of the Second Term of Donald Trump in the Presidency.

Already, it is quite clear that America is in crisis, as Trump 47 is far more disastrous and dangerous than Trump 45 was.

Trump 45 had people who were able to control his impulses, and prevent what could have been worse than was.

Trump 47 has no such individuals, as his entire Cabinet and other advisers are no check on his whims and desires, and he has been running rampant in a highly dangerous way.

He has promoted chaos, anarchy, cruelty, instability, and persistent authoritarian actions in a multitude of areas of domestic and foreign policy.

If the Republicans in Congress continue to bow to his whims;

If the Supreme Court continues to ignore his abuses of power;

If the corporations, law firms, universities, news media continue to bow to his demands;

And if the Democratic Party cannot win back control of at least the House of Representatives, but hopefully the US Senate in the upcoming midterm elections of 2026,

Then there will be despair that American democracy and the rule of law will disintegrate completely as America reaches the 250th Anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, a landmark year.

The “Peace” President Has Bombed Seven Nations In His First Year Of His Second Term!

Donald Trump is obsessed with his desire to win the Nobel Peace Prize, so much so, that he, willingly, accepted the “gift” of the prize from Maria Corina Machado of Venezuela, who he is unwilling to support as the new President of that nation, despite her party’s victory.

This is outrageous and obscene to the extreme, weird and loony behavior on the part of Donald Trump, but he has no shame!

At the same time, he has managed to use military force and bombed SEVEN nations in his first year of his second term:

Venezuela
Iran
Iraq
Syria
Yemen
Nigeria
Somalia

And now, Trump is threatening military action to seize Greenland, thereby posing a danger to Denmark and all of NATO. And now, he is threatening new tariffs on our NATO allies, upping the ante of crisis in an alliance which has managed to protect the peace and promote unity for 75 years.

While one can certainly consider the 7 nations that were bombed as, in many cases, “problems”, who gives the United States the right to use military force to impose its will?

To the civilized world, including our NATO allies and friendly nations elsewhere around the globe, the United States under the leadership of Donald Trump has become the “lawless” nation, creating a crisis atmosphere, and a threat to world peace.

This can only encourage Putin and the Russian Federation, and Xi Jinping and China, and Kim Jong Un and North Korea in their own “spheres of influence”, to continue to take aggressive actions, making the world much more unsafe!

Four Potential Senate Gains For Democrats In 2026

Beyond Alaska and Maine, and long odds Iowa, there are four other Republican Senate seats that are in play in the Midterm Elections of 2026.

Nebraska has Republican Pete Ricketts, former two term Governor, and part owner of the Chicago Cubs baseball team, running for a full term, after succeeding the retired Senator Ben Sasse in 2023. Ricketts has a conservative record, and will NOT have a Democratic opponent, but interestingly, he will have an Independent opponent, Dan Osborn, who polled well against Senator Deb Fischer in 2024, losing by only 6 points, amazing result, with no formal backing by Democrats.

A former labor union leader and US Navy veteran, he is running again with a populist platform, appealing to the middle and working class, and he is seen as intriguing, with a possible chance to win.

North Carolina Republican Senator Thom Tillis is not seeking reelection, and former Democratic Governor Roy Cooper is the favorite to win the seat over Republican Michael Whatley, former North Carolina Republican Chairman, and also Republican National Chairman in 2024-2025.

Cooper was an exceptional governor in a state where the opposition Republicans often controlled the legislature, but he gained a reputation for principled leadership, and had a background as four term State Attorney General before his two terms as Governor. There is real optimism that Cooper can swing this state to the Democratic camp, with Cooper ahead in public opinion polls.

Ohio also is a state that Democrats are optimistic will swing their way in the Senate race, with former Senator Sherrod Brown, who served three terms, but lost his seat in 2024, trying for a comeback against appointed Senator Jon Husted, former Lieutenant Governor, who replaced Vice President JD Vance, when he was elected Vice President to Donald Trump in the Presidential Election of 2024.

Brown was considered one of the most liberal members of the Senate, and earlier had served in the House of Representatives and in the state legislature. Husted has been strongly conservative, and served as Secretary of State of Ohio before becoming Lieutenant Governor. It will be a tough race, but Democrats are hopeful that Brown can return to the Senate in the upcoming election. Polls indicate a very close race between Brown and Husted.

Finally, the crucial state of Texas, strongly Republican in recent decades, but having a three way primary in the Republican Party, of incumbent Senator John Cornyn, State Attorney General Ken Paxton, and Congressman Wesley Hunt.

Cornyn has been in the Senate for four terms, but is facing a serious challenge from the controversial and crooked Paxton, and African American Congressman Hunt. Cornyn has more support from the party and funding, but Paxton in particular could possibly upend the race, although his corruption is a significant issue, as he was impeached, although not convicted by the Texas legislature. Polls show an extremely close race for the nomination, with African American Congressman Hunt seen as a wild card.

The Democrats have an even more exciting race of outspoken African American Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett, and State Representative James Talarico. Either candidate would be an exciting addition to the Senate, with Crockett more controversial and outspoken, while Talarico brings a soothing brand of noncontroversial Christianity and idealism to the race. Talarico would be the youngest US Senator if he won the seat. There is something very inspiring to this author and blogger about Talarico, particularly.

There will be plenty of “fireworks” in Texas, with the state primaries coming in March. And were Crockett or Talarico to win the seat in November, almost certainly, the Senate would become a Democratic majority for the 120th Congress (2027-2029).

Four Challenging Senate Races For 2026 For Democrats

Several states with Republican Senate seats up for 2026 will be a challenge for Democrats, with them needing at least a gain of four seats, assuming the party keeps all of the seats they have coming up for reelection, in order to regain control of the US Senate in 2027.

This includes the states of:

Alaska
Iowa
Kentucky
Maine
Nebraska
North Carolina
Ohio
Texas

Today, there will be examination and analysis of the first four races listed above, with a later article on the latter four states.

In Alaska, native American former Congresswoman Mary Peltola is challenging Republican Senator Dan Sullivan, and this is believed to be a potential gain for Democrats, who see her race as the crucial one on the road to a Democratic majority in the Senate.

In Iowa, Senator Joni Ernst is retiring, and Iowa Congresswoman Ashley Hinson is favored as the Republican nominee, seen as having an edge in a state that has trended Republican in recent times.

However, there are two Democrats who have drawn interest—Zach Wahls, who became noticed 15 years ago when he openly supported his lesbian parents, and would end up in the Iowa state legislature, as a liberal activist; and Josh Turek, born with spina bifida, but while being in a wheelchair for his lifetime, has been a competitor in wheelchair basketball sports, along with service in the Iowa legislature. Wahls is seen as more progressive, while Turek is seen as more moderate in views.

Kentucky, a strongly Republican state, is choosing a successor to long term Senator Mitch McConnell, who had been both Senate Majority Leader and Senate Minority Leader. The Republican favorite is former State Attorney General Daniel Cameron, but challenged by Congressman Andy Barr, one of the most extreme right wing members of the Republican Party in Congress.

Democrats have two former contenders for the Senate—Amy McGrath, former Marine fighter pilot; and Charles Booker, former state legislator. Sadly, it would be a major upset if either Democrat won the Senate seat.

The state of Maine will have the most hotly contested election for the Senate, with Republican incumbent Susan Collins, in her 30th year in the Senate, and having a moderate image, but under attack by both her own party, including Donald Trump, but also Democrats who see a great opportunity to take this seat.

Collins is in her mid 70s, and her two Democratic opponents are sitting Governor Janet Mills, who would be, at 79, the oldest first term US Senator in history, if she won; and Graham Platner, oyster farmer, harbor master, and military veteran, who has become controversial for his past statements, his chest tattoo, and his perceived extreme utterances on a multitude of issues.

Polls indicate a very close competition between Mills and Planter, and between either of them and Collins, and this could be the tipping point election for control of the Senate in 2027.

At this point, the states of Alaska and Maine seem potential gains for the Democrats, with some possibility in Iowa, but unlikely any chance to win in Kentucky!

Democratic US Senate Races In 2026 Seen As “Safe” For Incumbents

With 35 US Senate races up for election in November, 2026, the following Democratic Senators are seen as having “safe” seats:

John Hickenlooper, Colorado
Chris Coons, Delaware
Cory Booker, New Jersey
Ben Ray Lujan, New Mexico
Jeff Merkley, Oregon
Jack Reed, Rhode Island
Mark Warner, Virginia

Also, Ed Markey, Massachusetts, who, however, is being challenged by fellow Democrat, Congressman Seth Moulton, mostly on the issue of age.

The following Senate seats that are Democratic are likely to remain so, but with challenges from Republicans:

(Dick Durbin), Illinois, who is retiring–with Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi far ahead of competitors in fund raising and polling.

(Gary Peters), Michigan, who is retiring–with a hot three way race of Congresswoman Haley Stevens, who has the private support of Democratic Senate leadership; State Senator Mallory McMorrow; and former Wayne County, Michigan Health Director Abdul El-Sayed. Stevens is seen as centrist, while McMorrow and El-Sayed are seen as more progressive by comparison, and all three are 39-42 in age, so a new generation for sure, no matter who wins the nomination. All three are very close in public opinion polls, but Stevens seems to have a clearcut edge at this point.

(Jeanne Shaheen), New Hampshire, who is retiring–with Congressman Chris Pappas the only viable candidate for the Democrats–facing a likely challenge from former Republican Senator John Sununu.

Finally, the one most crucial race is Jon Ossoff of Georgia, who has the toughest race of all, to keep his seat. The youngest member of the Senate, he has been outstanding, but Georgia will be a tough state to win reelection in 2026, as it tends to be Republican oriented, except for the miracle that both Georgia Senators elected in 2021 are Democrats—Ossoff, and Raphael Warnock.

Donald Trump Spiraling Out Of Control In First Two Weeks Of 2026!

Donald Trump is spiraling out of control in the first two weeks of 2026, leading to the thought that the nation cannot take much more of this lunatic behavior.

The invasion and removal of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro; the shooting and murder of Rene Nicole Good in Minneapolis, and the increased ICE presence in Minnesota; the open threat to invade Greenland and break up the NATO alliance; and the decision to seek criminal prosecution of Federal Reserve Board Chairman Jerome Powell—all are indications of an unstable, highly dangerous President, who is being supported by a very corrupt, abusive group of Cabinet officers and others, such as Stephen Miller, Kevin Roberts, and Russell Vought, all promoting the very dangerous and divisive Project 2025!

Additionally, Trump has created a fantasy regarding the history of the January 6, 2021 US Capitol Insurrection on the White House website, and has been able to wipe out historically accurate information about his impeachments and the Capitol Insurrection on the Presidential Exhibit at the National Portrait Gallery. Also, he has twisted and distorted information about his predecessors, Joe Biden, and Barack Obama, on the corridor in the White House, where there is a Presidential Exhibit with portraits and text about earlier Presidents.

Incumbent Democratic Gubernatorial Races In 2026 And Potential Of Democratic Gubernatorial Presidential Nominee In 2028!

Many Democratic Governors are seeking reelection, and are in good shape to win in November 2026.

This includes the following Incumbent Governors:

Arizona–Katie Hobbs
Connecticut–Ned Lamont
Hawaii–Josh Green
Illinois–JD Pritzker
Maryland–Wes Moore
Massachusetts–Maura Healey
New York–Kathy Hochul
Oregon–Tina Kotek
Pennsylvania–Josh Shapiro
Rhode Island–Dan McKee

Included in the above list are three Governors who are perceived as likely Presidential contenders for the Democratic Party in 2028—JD Pritzker, Wes Moore, and Josh Shapiro.

Three “retiring” Democratic Governors are also seen as likely to be Presidential contenders:

California—Gavin Newsom
Colorado—Jared Polis
Michigan—Gretchen Whitmer

There certainly is no lack of qualified and competent Governors in the Democratic Party, and the odds that a sitting or former Governor might be the Democratic Presidential nominee in 2028 is quite high!

Three Native American Women Running For Governor In New Mexico, And US Senate In Minnesota And Alaska!

In this election year 2026, America is seeing three native American women Democrats running for higher office, and the likelihood that all three might triumph, and add to the accomplishments of native Americans.

In New Mexico, former Congresswoman Deb Haaland, also the former Secretary of the Interior under President Joe Biden, is campaigning for Governor.

In Minnesota, two term Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan is campaigning for the US Senate seat of retiring Senator Tina Smith.

And in Alaska, former Congresswoman Mary Peltola is also campaigning for the US Senate seat now held by Republican Dan Sullivan. She was able to defeat former Alaska Governor Sarah Palin twice in Congressional races.

Haaland is a member of the Laguna Pueblo tribe, and Flanagan is a member of the Minnesota Chippewa Tribe (also known as the White Earth Nation), while Peltola is from the Yup’ik (Alaska Native) tribe.

If these three Native American women win, they will be the first of their gender to have accomplished such high office!