Independent Political Research
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Candidate profiles built on public record. No spin, no agenda — just the story behind the name.
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Graham Platner
US Senate
A combat veteran who farms oysters on the Maine coast is leading the Democratic primary — and polling ahead of Susan Collins in a race that's rewritten what an outsider candidacy looks like.
Maine 2 — Open Seat
US House — Maine 2nd District
Jared Golden was one of the last conservative Democrats — his retirement leaves Maine's 2nd district without its only reason to vote blue, in a district Trump won by 9 points.
Paul LePage
US House — Maine 2nd District
Maine's most colorful ex-governor is attempting a political comeback in the district Jared Golden just vacated — and he might actually win it.
Susan Collins
US Senate
Maine's senior senator has survived five elections by being almost everything the modern Republican Party is not — and made a career out of that tension.
Apr 1, 2026
One Year After Liberation Day, the Tariff Clock Is Still Ticking — Right Into Midterm Season
The Supreme Court struck down Trump's IEEPA tariffs in February. His replacement — a 10% global levy under Section 122 of the Trade Act — expires July 24. That deadline is now a midterm election variable.
Continue reading →Mar 30, 2026
The Iran War Splits Michigan's Democratic Primary Wide Open
El-Sayed's Hasan Piker rallies drew national backlash and a direct rebuke from McMorrow — now the same conflict Sen. Slotkin says is costing Michigan drivers 60 cents a gallon is becoming the race's live wire.
Mar 29, 2026
The NY-17 Primary Is Already a Mess, and Republicans Are Watching
A Democratic candidate's lewd Facebook posts, a new challenger leading in polling, and a fractured primary field — all while Mike Lawler keeps quiet and banks cash.
Mar 28, 2026
Six-Hour Lines at the World's Busiest Airport — and Three Georgia Republicans Have an Answer: Blame Ossoff
With TSA agents going six weeks without pay and Hartsfield-Jackson near gridlock, Georgia's Republican Senate hopefuls found a political opportunity. The problem: their own party is blocking the fix.
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