State of Democracy Lecture: The 2026 Midterms: Issues, Vibes, and Vote Counts

What's really driving the 2026 midterms and who ends up controlling Congress? Join us for a lively conversation with Maxwell professors and national journalists who are covering the election to examine which issues voters care about, the political mood across the country, the races that will determine control of Congress, and what the polls are (and aren't) telling us with Election Day approaching. 

Moderators Chris Faricy, director of the Campbell Public Affairs Institute; and Margaret Talev, Kramer Director of the Syracuse University Institute for Democracy, Journalism and Citizenship; will lead the discussion among panelists:

• Johnathan Martin, politics bureau chief, senior political columnist, Politico
• Kadia Goba, politics reporter, The Washington Sun
• Chris Jackson, senior VP and civil society division lead, SSRS; pollster and public opinion researcher
• Grant Reeher, professor, political science, Maxwell School, Syracuse University
• Jennifer Stromer-Galley, professor, information studies, iSchool, Syracuse University