# Middle America Wins Senate and House > Military veterans and moderates are flipping red states to Democrats in 2026 elections. - Title: Middle America Wins Senate and House · Rolling Stone - Summary: Military veterans and moderates are flipping red states to Democrats in 2026 elections. Democrats win Senate and House by appealing to independents and… - Keywords: military veterans, senate, house, independents, republican, democrat, moderate, purple states, red states, united states, 2026 elections, senator - Source: Rolling Stone — https://rollingstone.com/politics/political-commentary/democratic-majority-moderates-winning-midterms-1235629432 - Author: John Avlon - Published: 2026-09-21T14:00:00+00:00 - Read time: 1 min - Topics: military veterans, senate, house, independents, republican, democrat, moderate, purple states, red states, united states, 2026 elections, senator ## Senate Shifts Democrats target purple districts with moderate candidates in red states. > We need more people in the middle that want to work across the aisle to get things done. ## North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper leads in RealClearPolitics average with affordability focus. > I'm going to be a senator who's going to put the people before power, the people before party. ## Alaska Senate Race Mary Peltola, former Congress member, wins nonpartisan primary ahead of Republican incumbent. > I am right down the middle. I'm as moderate as a person could possibly be. ## Texas Senate Race James Talarico, pastor and state rep, leads Attorney General Ken Paxton by 1-6 points. > We will not defeat the politics of division with more division. ## Kansas Senate Race Adam Hamilton, pastor and author, edges Republican incumbent Roger Marshall 45 to 43. > Here in Kansas, we're proud of being in the middle politically. ## Ohio Senate Race Sherrod Brown leads J.D. Vance replacement John Husted in heartland battleground. > I don't believe politics is left or right. I've always been on the side of the middle class and workers. ## Nebraska Independent Dan Osborn, Navy veteran, leads Republican Pete Ricketts by four points. > We have to stop looking left and right and pointing fingers, and we have to start looking up. ## Montana Independent Seth Bodnar, former Green Beret, runs as independent against Republican Kurt Alme. > I swore an oath to the Constitution of the United States. I didn't swear loyalty to a political party. ## South Dakota Independent Brian Bengs, retired Air Force lieutenant colonel, challenges Republican Mike Rounds. > Deny either team a majority, we become the fulcrum which can force bipartisanship in the Senate. ## Wisconsin House Race Rebecca Cooke runs third time for Congress in third district with middle politics message. > We need more people in the middle that want to work across the aisle to get things done. ## New Jersey House Race Rebecca Bennett, former Republican Navy pilot, challenges Rep. Tom Kean Jr. > In the aircraft, you'd never ask your crew if they're Democrats or Republicans. ## New York House Race Cait Conley, Army officer, challenges Rep. Mike Lawler with service-focused message. > Government's job is to deliver for the people, not a party. ## Arizona House Race JoAnna Mendoza, retired Marine, challenges Rep. Juan Ciscomani with service message. > We need servant leaders today. A new generation of patriots who put people first. ## South Carolina Race Nancy Lacore, former Republican Navy admiral, runs for 1st District seat. > We need to get folks in there who are a little bit closer to the middle who are willing to work across the aisle. ## Pennsylvania Race Janelle Stelson, former Republican journalist, challenges MAGA Rep. Scott Perry. > My job was not to answer to a political party. It was not to defend the rich and powerful. ## Iowa Governor Rob Sand, state auditor, leads in polls with fiscal responsibility focus. > I think our political system is broken largely because it's run by two private clubs. ## Florida Governor David Jolly, former Republican congressman, runs against MAGA Rep. Byron Donalds. > I think we should get politicians out of the classrooms, out of the doctor's offices. ## Alabama Senate Race Doug Jones, pragmatic candidate, challenges Sen. Tommy Tuberville. > One that actually belongs to the people of Alabama. One that listens before it lectures. ## Ohio Governor Dr. Amy Acton leads Vivek Ramaswamy in Bowling Green State University/YouGov poll. > As a doctor, I never asked my patients whether they were Democrats or Republicans. ## Key takeaway Democrats win Senate and House by appealing to independents and centrists in red states.