Democrats Post Higher 2026 Primary Turnout as GOP Keeps $222 Million Cash Edge
Updated
Updated · Voz Media · Sep 29
Democrats Post Higher 2026 Primary Turnout as GOP Keeps $222 Million Cash Edge
3 articles · Updated · Voz Media · Sep 29
Summary
Democratic primary turnout beat Republican turnout in several key 2026 races, including by about 150,000 votes in Texas, but the surge does not by itself improve Democrats’ November odds, the New York Times analysis said.
Three-quarters of 22 states with competitive 2022 and 2026 primaries saw Democratic turnout rise, while Republican turnout fell in two-thirds, yet Republicans still benefit from House maps redrawn in states such as Florida and Texas.
Money remains another Republican advantage: Reuters estimated a GOP ad war chest of at least $888 million versus $666 million for Democrats, and Republican national committees held about $233 million in cash after a Supreme Court ruling eased coordinated-spending limits.
The Senate map is also tougher for Democrats, who trail 53-47 and must defend Georgia and Michigan—both won by Donald Trump in 2024—while flipping at least four GOP-held seats in battlegrounds including Maine and North Carolina.
The analysis draws a parallel with 2018, when Democratic enthusiasm helped win roughly 40 House seats but failed to overcome a Senate map centered on Trump-friendly states.