Powered by a clear favorability advantage, a large gender gap and voter discontent with both household finances and President Donald Trump, former Democratic Sen. Sherrod Brown has the edge over appointed Republican Sen. Jon Husted in the Ohio Senate race.

A Fox News survey of likely Ohio voters finds Brown leads Husted, 52% to 47%.

Brown’s advantage is anchored by his stronger personal standing, with his favorability rating 2 points above water (50% favorable, 48% unfavorable), while Husted’s rating sits 13 points underwater (42% favorable, 55% unfavorable).

FOX NEWS POLL: COST-OF-LIVING CONCERNS WEIGH ON GOP IN MIDTERMS

More Brown supporters (88%) than Husted backers (83%) say they’re certain of their vote.

FOX NEWS POLL: IT’S A LONE STAR SENATE SHOWDOWN BETWEEN TALARICO AND PAXTON

Economic unease creates another headwind for Husted, as about two and a half times as many voters say their financial situation is worse than two years ago rather than better (46% vs. 19%). Those who say things are worse favor Brown by 49 points, while those who say their finances are better or the same favor Husted by 51 and 24 points, respectively.

The president’s standing in Ohio adds to Husted’s difficulties. Trump won the Buckeye State with 55% of the vote in 2024, but just 43% now approve of his job performance. A 57% majority disapproves, with 46% saying they "strongly" disapprove.

Meanwhile, 52% express concern that Husted is too close to Trump, including 38% who are extremely concerned. Brown faces similar concerns about being too liberal, as 50% are worried, though fewer, 30%, are extremely concerned.

In the matchup, women favor Brown by 14 points, while men support Husted by 4, an 18-point gender gap. Brown also has advantages among voters under 35, voters with a college degree, union voters, and those living in urban and suburban areas. Husted relies on rural communities, non-college White men, married voters, and has a narrow edge among those ages 65 and up.

Partisan crossovers further tilt the field toward the challenger. While Husted receives 90% of Republicans, 9% cross over to back Brown. Some 97% of Democrats support Brown, while just 2% choose Husted — and Brown carries independents by nearly two to one.

Voters who view both Senate candidates unfavorably prefer Husted by nearly 20 points.

Brown is up by 9 points among those who are extremely interested in the election and leads by 29 points among the 15% of Ohioans who say they have already voted.

Legislative preference tilts toward the Democrats, with Ohioans dividing 50% for Democratic control of the U.S. Senate and 48% for Republican control.

In the governor's contest, likely voters favor Democrat Amy Acton over Republican Vivek Ramaswamy by 50% to 48%. Women favor Acton by 10 points, while men back Ramaswamy by 7, a nearly identical gender gap to the Senate race.

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Ticket splitting goes in both directions: 8% of Brown supporters cross over to Ramaswamy, while 6% of Husted supporters back Acton.

The survey was completed before a negative television ad from Ramaswamy’s campaign, featuring Acton’s estranged mother, became public.

Conducted October 15-19, 2026, under the joint direction of Beacon Research (D) and Shaw & Company Research (R), this Fox News Poll includes interviews with a sample of 2,005 Ohio registered voters randomly selected from a statewide voter file. Respondents spoke with live interviewers on landlines (219) and cellphones (1,306) or completed the survey online after receiving a text message (480). Results based on the registered voter sample have a margin of sampling error of ±2 percentage points and for the subsample of 1,592 likely voters it is ±2 percentage points. Sampling error for results among subgroups is higher. In addition to sampling error, question wording and order can influence results. Sources for developing weight targets include the most recent American Community Survey, Fox News Voter Analysis, and voter file data. Weights are generally applied to age, race, education, and area variables to ensure the demographics of respondents are representative of the registered voter population. Likely voters are based on a probabilistic statistical model that relies on past vote history, interest in the current election, intention to vote, age, education, race, ethnicity, and marital status. Results among subgroups are only shown when the sample size is at least N=100. 

Fox News’ Victoria Balara contributed to this report.

Republican challenger Scott Singer criticizes Democratic Rep. Jared Moskowitz for urging end to Iran war, ties him to party's left, as incumbent highlights AIPAC endorsement

Minnesota Democratic U.S. Senate nominee and Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan previously claimed she graduated Phi Beta Kappa despite never belonging to the prestigious honor society, while her official state biography suggests she completed two college majors when she actually earned one major and a minor, according to an exclusive report published Wednesday by the Wall Street Journal.

The post Report: Minnesota Dem Senate Nominee Peggy Flanagan Falsely Claimed Phi Beta Kappa Membership, Misrepresented College Credentials appeared first on Breitbart.

Rep. Scott Perry (R-PA) has released a campaign advertisement highlighting allegations that Democrat congressional challenger Janelle Stelson was naked outside her home in view of a neighbor's grandchild, referencing a written statement from a neighbor who claims to have photographed the incident.

The post Rep. Scott Perry Ad Highlights Police Complaint Alleging Democrat Janelle Stelson Exposed Herself to a Child appeared first on Breitbart.

Rep. Ralph Norman (R-S.C.) said Wednesday he’s keeping his promise to support Sen. Darline Graham (R-S.C.) at the ballot box on Nov. 3 but said his family will not.  In a radio interview with “The Nashional Briefing with Kelly Nash,” Graham’s GOP primary opponent reiterated his commitment to supporting Republican candidates in the state.  “I’m…

Rep. Ralph Norman (R-S.C.) said Wednesday he’s keeping his promise to support Sen. Darline Graham (R-S.C.) at the ballot box on Nov. 3 but said his family will not.  In a radio interview with “The Nashional Briefing with Kelly Nash,” Graham’s GOP primary opponent reiterated his commitment to supporting Republican candidates in the state.  “I’m…

People of Israel chair clarifies he's not planning to cross the aisle; ramping up pressure, Netanyahu shares call by bereaved families for Winter to drop out

The Libertarian Party of New Hampshire's (LPNH) X account—which has become infamous for its bigoted and controversy-ridden posts—is finally gone. But the state's spurious role in its banning raises free speech concerns.

Last week, New Hampshire Republican Gov. Kelly Ayotte sent a letter to X's safety team, asking the company to suspend the account. Ayotte's letter made mention of several clear violations of X's content policies: "This account has openly called for the assassination of elected officials from the New Hampshire Democratic Party, has said it condones murdering elected officials for their policy positions, and most recently threatened a member of House leadership.…I'm calling on X to remove [the posts] and suspend the account immediately." 

The letter referenced one particularly bold post from September (which the account later deleted). The post read: "We openly support the assassination of basically every elected democrat in New Hampshire. But if you don't have the balls to do it, then you should probably vote GOP." 

X suspended the account the day after Ayotte sent the letter.

The removal of the LPNH account has likely elicited a sigh of relief from the Libertarian Party's (L.P.) leadership, which has repeatedly tussled with LPNH over its extreme rhetoric, undermining of L.P. candidates, and constant creation of P.R. crises for the party. In 2024, the LPNH endorsed Donald Trump for president instead of Libertarian candidate Chase Oliver, pushing the Libertarian National Committee to disaffiliate LPNH from the L.P.'s structure this past May. The Granite State Libertarian Party was designated the state's new L.P. affiliate in September.

Even though the LPNH has clearly violated X's terms and does not adhere to the most basic requirements for L.P. membership (such as pledging to uphold the nonaggression principle), the government should not tell private firms when to enforce their own policies. This sentiment was shared by Granite State L.P., which recently said in a social media post, "While a private company has a right to remove someone screaming about setting people on fire…the government should play zero part in that decision."

Jeremy Kauffman, the chair of the LPNH, is outraged but unsurprised, posting on Sunday that he and the LPNH are "exploring a lawsuit against the New Hampshire government." He tells Reason, "Ayotte's letter was a classic example of jawboning. When a governor sends a demanding letter like this to a private company, there is a clear implicit threat attached."

Speaking to Reason, Trace Mitchell, a technology and free speech expert at the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression, defines jawboning as, "when the government, through veiled threats or direct coercion, pressures a private entity to take an action that the government could not lawfully take or mandate itself." 

In Bantam Books v. Sullivan (1963), the Supreme Court ruled that the government cannot make recommendations to private companies if those recommendations come with legal repercussions—even implied or veiled repercussions. Doing so would qualify as jawboning, which violates the First Amendment. Though Ayotte's letter could be construed as extralegal pressure, it does not imply a punishment for noncompliance and likely falls short of legally recognized jawboning.

Addressing Kauffman's proposed lawsuit, Mitchell says, "In this case he would likely have to show there is something beyond this letter…[like] outside communications, emails or text with X." 

Safety officers at X provided no comment to Reason to justify the suspension. It is not clear whether there was any external communication involved beyond the letter. Without a more definite connection between Ayotte's request and X's decision, Kauffman may struggle to win in court. Still, that doesn't make the governor's request any less concerning. 

While Ayotte's letter was a surprise, it was not unprecedented. As social media has become the public forum, all levels of government have tried to regulate what is said there. During the COVID-19 pandemic, federal officials under the Biden administration were revealed to be in near-constant communication with major social media firms, encouraging and recommending that misinformation be removed from the platforms. Many of these recommendations were paired with implied threats to review the firms' legal immunity for content posted on their platforms, which spawned a lawsuit that reached the Supreme Court in 2024. 

Although the Court dismissed the case for lack of standing, some lawmakers have taken action to address concerns over jawboning, with Sen. Ted Cruz (R–Texas) introducing the JAWBONE Act in June. The bill would make it easier for members of the public to sue government officials who pressure media networks, as well as require increased transparency for all federal communications to media networks.

Even if Kauffman cannot find legal remit, Ayotte's letter was a troubling move for the future of internet speech. Many of the offending posts referenced were months old or had been deleted before the letter was sent. The LPNH has likely been violating X's content policy for years, but X only took action after the government instructed it to.

You don't need a judge to see how that might be concerning. 

The post X Bans Former Libertarian Party Affiliate—After the State Requests It appeared first on Reason Magazine.

Kemi Badenoch has said a "red warning light" is flashing on the economy as Britain's debt tops £3 trillion for the first time and inflation surges to 3.5% ahead of the Budget next week.

The post Badenoch Warns of “Red Warning Light” on Economy as UK Debt Tops £3 Trillion and Inflation Surges to 3.5% Ahead of Budget appeared first on The Daily Sceptic.

Open letter signed by 150 actors, writers, public figures including Nobel laureates, says ban is 'affront to basic principles of free speech,' calls for government to change course

FIRST ON FOX: With the midterms less than two weeks away and after socialist-backed candidates notched sweeping primary victories, a conservative group is warning the far-left agenda will leave Americans worse off.

Advancing American Freedom (AAF) launched "DSA Exposed" on Wednesday. First obtained by Fox News Digital, the website critiques 12 Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) proposals, including universal healthcare, public ownership of major industries, abolishing the Senate and ICE and ending aid to Israel.

AAF argues the proposals would reshape American life — and not for the better. Its site examines their potential effects on healthcare, work, housing and the economy.

"In many ways, this election is being framed as a referendum on President Trump, but the Democrats deserve just as much scrutiny and more because of what motivates their actual policy preferences," AAF President Tim Chapman told Fox News Digital.

REPUBLICANS JUST GOT A POWERFUL NEW PLAYBOOK FOR THE BATTLE FOR CONGRESS. HERE'S WHAT'S INSIDE.

In a letter sent to congressional offices Wednesday outlining the new tool, Chapman called the DSA’s agenda "un-American extremism" and urged lawmakers to condemn its "antisemitic rhetoric."

"The DSA represents one of the greatest threats to Americans’ life, liberty, and pursuit of happiness in perhaps American history," he wrote.

The website also lays out a visual timeline of socialist governments dating back to the 1900s. From the Soviet Union to present-day Cuba, the timeline shows whether each government remained in power or ultimately collapsed.

Chapman said the DSA’s biggest issue is its call for greater government involvement. He argued this could have the opposite effect on affordability than intended.

"They're going to put more bureaucrats in charge of the economy and this is the thing that's actually dragging down the economy," he said.

SOCIALISTS LAUNCH RADICAL PLATFORM TO ABOLISH THE US SENATE

Socialism has become increasingly embedded in American politics after several candidates backed by the DSA prevailed in their Democratic primaries this year.

Some of the DSA’s most prominent endorsements include Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., Rep. Rashida Tlaib, D-Mich., New York Assemblywoman Claire Valdez, U.S. House candidate for New York Darializa Avila Chevalier and Pennsylvania state Rep. Chris Rabb.

The DSA’s upward momentum has left many Democrats questioning the future of the party and whether it could shift further to the left.

An October Fox News Poll found 32% of voters view socialism favorably, up five points from a year ago, while a March poll found 53% of voters under 30 favored moving away from capitalism toward socialism.

Chapman said "a pendulum swing" has left young Americans with "great frustration" over both parties’ handling of the economy.

"Right now, you're having populist politics on the right, and you're having populist on the left and both are massively failing when it comes to the economy," he said.

YOUNG SWING-STATE VOTERS COZY UP TO DEMOCRATIC SOCIALISTS, SAY PARTY ESTABLISHMENT MUST ‘LEARN’ FROM DSA WINS

He said both parties need to do better to prevent an "opening" for socialism and accused Democratic leaders of being hesitant to distance themselves from DSA-aligned policies for fear of losing their party’s base.

"The answer is not to give the authority to the democratic socialists on the left, because they'll actually drive it further into the hole," he said.

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As voters head to the polls in November, Chapman hopes the website offers a "deep dive" into socialist platforms and how they stack up against Americans’ priorities.

"Even though they may be a minority of the party, they are the energy within the party," Chapman said. "They’re the beating heart of the movement and I think that the leadership of the party will probably kowtow to that base energy."

The "Ruthless Podcast" hosts called out Democratic hypocrisy Wednesday for decrying "big money" in politics while accepting donations from major companies and billionaires ahead of the midterm elections.

Podcast co-host John Ashbrook highlighted a recent report that Kansas Democratic Senate nominee Adam Hamilton holds up to $4 million in stock in companies in the artificial intelligence (AI) and data center sectors despite previously criticizing AI technology.

"He’s getting rich off of data centers," Ashbrook said.

'RUTHLESS' BREAKS DOWN ELECTION DETAILS NEGLECTED BY MAINSTREAM MEDIA

They also commented on how Hamilton's wife earned between $5,001 and $15,000 from interest in bonds alone from the Bank of China.

"She's hedging on China, if the church doesn't work," podcast co-host Comfortably Smug joked.

"Roger Marshall voted for $30 billion in tax breaks for data centers and for making it easier to build centers while taking tens of thousands from data center developers. Adam will let Kansans decide what's right for their community, not big tech," Hamilton spokesperson Tyson Brody told Fox News Digital.

WOKE MEGACHURCH PASTOR, DEM NOMINEE CALLED FOR REPENTANCE OVER WHITE PRIVILEGE IN WAKE OF GEORGE FLOYD, BLM

The podcast also remarked on Maine Democratic Senate candidate Troy Jackson recently disclosing that at least four billionaires donated to his campaign despite previously claiming he had no billionaires backing him.

"That is my favorite Democrat bit," co-host Josh Holmes said. "It's the ‘I'm tired of corporate greed and corporate donations, and I'm not taking big money in politics.’ And like the entirety of their party, each one of them individually is exclusively on the map only because of that."

MAINE DEM SEN CANDIDATE'S 'WORKING CLASS' CRED SHREDDED BY BOTH PARTIES WHEN INTERNET SEES LATEST 'CRINGEY' AD

"He said that he's running for office because he's tired of high-priced lobbyists and corporate greed," Ashbrook added. "Well, of course, if you listen to the Variety Progrum, you know his own son is a lobbyist."

Fox News Digital reached out to the Jackson campaign for comment.

A Jackson campaign spokesperson told WGME, "Nearly 200,000 people have donated to Troy’s campaign, with 95% of contributions under $100, support from Mainers in all 16 counties, and no corporate PACs — unlike Susan Collins, who is heavily funded by corporate PACs and wealthy special interests whose bidding she does in Washington. While Susan Collins remains at the center of a pay-for-play scandal where she steered taxpayer dollars to campaign donors, Troy has always been clear that billionaires need to pay their fair share, and he’ll always put working people first."

Maine's race has been ruled a "toss-up" between Jackson and the GOP incumbent Sen. Susan Collins.

Fox News Digital reached out to the Collins campaign for comment.

Fox News’ latest power rankings have classified the race in Kansas as "leans GOP" in favor of incumbent Sen. Roger Marshall.

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP

True conservatives are realizing that Trump is using the Republican Party for his own convenience.

True conservatives are realizing that Trump is using the Republican Party for his own convenience.

Military reportedly approaches attorney general about PM's address to graduating cadets after members of public raise concerns

The map favors Republicans, but cracks in their base are leaving them vulnerable in defending House and Senate control.

© The New York Times

Zia Yusuf claims undercover investigation broke the law as broadcaster stands by its journalism

Here is an explainer by Jill Ambrose about the Jackdaw decision.

But environmental groups have condemned the decision. Ami McCarthy, head of politics for Greenpeace UK, said:

Approving Jackdaw shows the toxic grip fossil fuel lobbyists still hold over our energy policy. Andy Burnham promised pragmatism [see 8.40am], but there is nothing pragmatic about rubber-stamping a project that won’t lower energy bills, won’t boost energy security and will create just 27 full-time jobs …

True pragmatism means severing our reliance on expensive oil and gas that leaves British households broke, supercharges extreme weather, and leaves our energy security at the mercy of petrostates.

Is the prime minister living in a parallel universe? One where we haven’t just endured our hottest summer on record, with droughts, wildfires and, in all likelihood, the most heat-related deaths on record? And where the UN hasn’t warned that we’re on the brink of breaching the all-important 1.5 degree warming limit?

Shell will be cheering this decision but it won’t knock a penny off our energy bills, which is what’s keeping people up at night, or make a meaningful difference to our gas supply.

Jackdaw will provide around just 2% of our gas demand for roughly ten years. It has been oversold and won’t stop the decline in North Sea jobs, as it will be largely unmanned and operated remotely.

Continue reading...

© Photograph: Guy Corbishley/Alamy Stock Photo/Alamy Live News.

© Photograph: Guy Corbishley/Alamy Stock Photo/Alamy Live News.

© Photograph: Guy Corbishley/Alamy Stock Photo/Alamy Live News.

Romania has formed a new government after six months of political deadlock, with parliament approving a minority administration led by independent diplomat Luca Niculescu on Tuesday, 20 October. The vote brings an end to repeated failed attempts to establish an executive, although the new prime minister faces considerable uncertainty over his government’s parliamentary support.

Niculescu secured 280 votes in favour and 58 against, comfortably exceeding the 233 required for confirmation. His ministers were sworn in before President Nicuşor Dan at the Cotroceni Palace in Bucharest later that evening, formally ending the prolonged government formation process.

The new administration comprises 18 ministers, including two delegated ministers. The Social Democratic Party (PSD) controls the majority of portfolios, while independent specialists hold several important positions, including finance and foreign affairs.

A government built on temporary parliamentary support

The appointment represents a political success for President Dan, who nominated Niculescu on 5 October following three unsuccessful attempts to assemble a functioning government.

EU Today reported earlier this month on Niculescu’s nomination, which followed the collapse of previous negotiations and growing pressure on Romania’s political institutions.

The new cabinet is heavily dependent on agreements between parties that have frequently disagreed over economic policy and public spending. Although the parliamentary vote demonstrated sufficient support for its installation, the arrangement does not provide the government with a permanent majority.

The National Liberal Party (PNL) and the Democratic Alliance of Hungarians in Romania (UDMR) supported the investiture while remaining outside the administration.

The arrangement gives Niculescu an opportunity to govern, but each major legislative proposal will require continued cooperation between parties with competing priorities.

The Social Democrats, who hold 11 of the ministerial positions, will exercise substantial influence over domestic policy, particularly decisions involving public-sector spending, welfare and taxation.

Budget deficit presents immediate challenge

Romania’s public finances represent the government’s most urgent problem.

The previous administration, led by Ilie Bolojan, collapsed in May following unpopular austerity measures. Political opposition to fiscal consolidation has complicated efforts to stabilise the budget and meet Romania’s commitments under the European Union’s fiscal framework.

Niculescu has indicated that addressing the deficit will be an immediate priority. Finance Minister Alexandru Nazare, appointed as an independent, faces the task of establishing a credible budget programme without provoking another parliamentary crisis.

The choices are politically difficult. Spending reductions risk resistance from public-sector employees and households already affected by higher living costs, while substantial tax increases could place further pressure on businesses and consumption.

Failure to establish a credible fiscal programme would prolong uncertainty over Romania’s borrowing requirements and its ability to comply with European budgetary obligations.

Brussels has a direct interest in the outcome. Romania remains subject to EU fiscal oversight, and the European Commission will assess whether the new administration’s financial plans are consistent with the country’s obligations.

The government’s credibility will depend on whether its parliamentary supporters are prepared to approve the measures that fiscal consolidation requires.

European funds and political credibility

The change of government also comes at a sensitive moment in Romania’s relationship with European institutions.

Romania has faced scrutiny over reforms linked to the EU’s Recovery and Resilience Facility, particularly legislation concerning public integrity and institutional accountability.

EU Today previously examined the European Commission’s assessment of Romania’s integrity legislation and its implications for recovery funding.

Although the EU recovery programme reached its principal implementation deadline in August, outstanding assessments and financial decisions continue to carry consequences for national budgets.

A functioning government is therefore important not only for domestic legislation but also for negotiations with Brussels over fiscal commitments, investment and the wider EU budget.

Romania must also address longer-term weaknesses in public administration, infrastructure financing and the implementation of European legislation.

Political stability remains uncertain

Niculescu takes office against the background of Romania’s unusually turbulent political history since the annulment of the 2024 presidential election amid allegations of Russian interference.

The subsequent institutional disputes damaged confidence in the political system and contributed to the fragmentation of parliamentary support.

Opposition parties, including the nationalist Alliance for the Union of Romanians (AUR), are positioned to challenge the government’s legitimacy and economic measures as the administration begins work.

Romania’s strategic importance extends beyond its domestic political difficulties. As an EU and NATO member bordering Ukraine and Moldova, it plays a substantial role in Black Sea security, military logistics and regional infrastructure.

Prolonged instability in Bucharest has therefore affected a country whose decisions carry consequences for European security and cross-border economic cooperation.

For the new prime minister, the immediate objective is to translate Tuesday’s parliamentary majority into support for legislation. His first serious test will come when the cabinet presents the fiscal measures that its supporters have so far struggled to agree upon.

The parliamentary vote has ended Romania’s government formation crisis. It has not resolved the disagreements that produced it.

Leaders of India’s governing coalition are trying to frame the demonstrations as a power grab by traditional political parties rather than a grass-roots youth movement.

© Saumya Khandelwal for The New York Times

The enormous spending by the term-limited president’s super PAC has no parallel in American history, and could offer struggling Republican candidates a lifeline.

© Haiyun Jiang/The New York Times