The Cook Political Report with Amy Walter

Amy and Jessica join the Roundtable this week. They discuss the two big developments in the race for the Senate: the death of Lindsey Graham in South Carolina over the weekend and Graham Platner dropping his bid in Maine along with the Democratic Party's announcement for how they will replace him. We recorded this conversation on Sunday, July 12 at 6:30pm ET.

A great deal of ink has been spilled over the last few years about the motivations and voting behavior of younger Americans. Although those under 45 vote at lower rates than their older counterparts, by 2028 Millennials and members of Generation Z will make up a majority of the voting-age population. As such, understanding their experiences and perspectives is critically important for any political operative or candidate.

The question on a lot of political minds these days is: What is the net impact of Graham Platner’s dropping out of the Maine Senate race on the outcome there and on control of the Senate? Arguably the best answer is: How did you think it was going before the last and final bombshell allegation against Platner?

Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham’s unexpected death has triggered a snap primary to replace him on the ballot this November.Prior to his death, some national Democrats believed they had a shot at ousting Graham, who never quite solidified trust from hardcore conservatives in the state after his conversion from moderate dealmaker to one of President Donald Trump’s closest confidantes. But a new GOP candidate will likely be less vulnerable, and this seat will now probably stay off the competitive board.

Democrats remain in a strong position to take control of the House — but it’s not a foregone conclusion. Even a good election night for Democrats will likely produce a relatively slim majority in 2027.Republicans still have a path to holding the chamber, in large part thanks to a redistricting arms race that ended with the GOP netting more seats. Though House Republicans have a three-seat majority on paper, they have effectively created an eight-or-nine seat cushion in November thanks to the states they gerrymandered to their benefit.

First Person is a series of quick videos from the Cook Political Report editors excl

Amy and Erin join the Roundtable this week. They discuss our first official range of expectations for outcomes in House races this fall and go over what a great night for Democrats and what a great night for Republicans would look like.

Democratic candidates running for competitive House seats are raising money hand over fist. But that doesn’t necessarily mean they’ll have a spending edge in 2026. A recent Supreme Court ruling allowing party committees to air ads in coordination with candidates — and Republicans’ major cash advantage on the super PAC side — could put the parties on more equal footing.

Now that Maine Democrats have effectively decided on former state Senate President Troy Jackson to be their new nominee to take on GOP Sen. Susan Collins, where does the race stand? How is it different from the situation that existed before the final set of allegations against oyster farmer Graham Platner, who had won the party’s nomination with 72 percent of the vote, drove him from the race?

After almost two weeks of limbo, former state Senate President Troy Jackson has lined up enough delegates to easily win this Saturday’s nominating convention to replace disgraced Democratic nominee Graham Platner on the ballot. In addition, the other major challengers for the nomination have withdrawn and endorsed Jackson — a welcome sign for Democrats who feared that the unconventional process for selecting a replacement would leave the party divided ahead of a tough fight against veteran Republican Sen. Susan Collins.