Making Sense of the Midterms

Rising Up With Sonali · Nov 6, 2026

I'm generally not one for hot takes. And this week's midterm election results are so vast that I've been taking stock of responses from colleagues, analysts, academics and pundits, before formulating my analysis. This is a long one, so strap in, for I've got thoughts. 👇🏾

First... the good: There were SO. MANY. FIRSTS.

(this list is by no means, comprehensive - I'm sure I've missed several firsts)

💥 Michigan's Abdul El Sayed became the nation's first Muslim Senator.

💥 Minnesota's Peggy Flanagan became, the nation's first Indigenous woman Senator.

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