“Ideas that matter,
since 1965.”
With the 2026 midterm elections now less than two months away, the latest edition of The Ripon Forum examines the political landscape for Republicans heading into November, the new battleground for candidates in this year’s campaign, and the history of the midterm curse that so often bedevils the incumbent president’s party.
25 Years after 9/11, the Memory of National Unity Still Resonates Today
Our national unity after 9/11 showed what is best in the American spirit, and reminded us what it means to embrace each other as fellow Americans.
The order of Presidential succession can and has been established by statute three times. It’s time to change it again.
The Political Landscape for Republicans Heading into the Fall
Despite the fact that midterm elections are historically difficult for an incumbent president’s party, the outcome of this year’s contest is not a foregone conclusion for the GOP.
Attention is the New Battleground
The communications playbook has been rewritten. Not because television disappeared or newspapers stopped mattering. But because campaigns no longer decide where voters get their information.
The Midterm Curse and the Balance of Power in Washington
Since 1934, the average midterm seat change for the president’s party has been a loss of 27 seats in the U.S. House of Representatives and 3.4 seats in the Senate.
The Forum recently approached top Republican strategists with a question — who are the GOP candidates Americans will be reading and hearing more about next year?
The Midterms Through the Eyes of Gen Z
The issues that won President Trump significant support from young voters in 2024 are the same ones his leadership will be judged on in 2026.
The Most Important Issue No One is Talking About this Election
When discussing economic threats, most voters aren’t focusing on Social Security. They should be.
The Framers Trusted States, Not Washington, With Elections
The Framers feared that a ruling national faction might someday control elections to seize power.
Websites, Cookies, and the Latest Litigation Gold Rush that Congress Must Stop
Over 5,300 lawsuits are pending claiming that common internet tools violate wiretapping laws.
Ripon Profile of Michael Baumgartner
Michael Baumgartner discusses how the September 11th terrorist attacks set him on a career in public service.
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In this Edition
With the 2026 midterm elections now less than two months away, the latest edition of The Ripon Forum examines the political landscape for Republicans heading into November, the new battleground for candidates in this year’s campaign, and the history of the midterm curse that so often bedevils the incumbent president’s party.
-
25 Years after 9/11, the Memory of National Unity Still Resonates Today
Our national unity after 9/11 showed what is best in the American spirit, and reminded us what it means to embrace each other as fellow Americans.
-
Keep the Government Running
The order of Presidential succession can and has been established by statute three times. It’s time to change it again.
-
The Political Landscape for Republicans Heading into the Fall
Despite the fact that midterm elections are historically difficult for an incumbent president’s party, the outcome of this year’s contest is not a foregone conclusion for the GOP.
-
Attention is the New Battleground
The communications playbook has been rewritten. Not because television disappeared or newspapers stopped mattering. But because campaigns no longer decide where voters get their information.
-
The Midterm Curse and the Balance of Power in Washington
Since 1934, the average midterm seat change for the president’s party has been a loss of 27 seats in the U.S. House of Representatives and 3.4 seats in the Senate.
-
Candidates to Watch in 2026
The Forum recently approached top Republican strategists with a question — who are the GOP candidates Americans will be reading and hearing more about next year?
-
The Midterms Through the Eyes of Gen Z
The issues that won President Trump significant support from young voters in 2024 are the same ones his leadership will be judged on in 2026.
-
The Most Important Issue No One is Talking About this Election
When discussing economic threats, most voters aren’t focusing on Social Security. They should be.
-
The Framers Trusted States, Not Washington, With Elections
The Framers feared that a ruling national faction might someday control elections to seize power.
-
Websites, Cookies, and the Latest Litigation Gold Rush that Congress Must Stop
Over 5,300 lawsuits are pending claiming that common internet tools violate wiretapping laws.
-
Ripon Profile of Michael Baumgartner
Michael Baumgartner discusses how the September 11th terrorist attacks set him on a career in public service.
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