Politics and views in the United States

Trump stumps in Ohio as polls show Democrats ahead, DHS raids home of vocal Trump critic, and Puerto Rican statehood a major issue among Hispanic voters.

Transcript

Welcome to 2026 Talks, where we're following our democracy in historic times.

I'm asking everybody to pretend, just pretend that I'm on the ballot, because in a way I am on the ballot, because they will try and destroy everything we've done, and the country has never done.

President Donald Trump made a campaign swing through Ohio yesterday, as polls show Republicans neck and neck with Democrats in races for the Senate and governor.

The swing comes as former Democratic Senator Sherrod Brown has opened up a small lead in polling over Republican incumbent John Husted.

The campaign swing marks yet another state that has treaded toward the GOP in recent cycles, becoming more competitive.

Fears are growing among Republicans of a sweeping Democratic victory, as polls show deep voter dissatisfaction with the war in Iran and tariffs.

Department of Homeland Security agents rated the home of progressive Minnesota Congresswoman Ilhan Omar yesterday.

Reports say the investigation is relayed to Omar's immigration paperwork.

The move comes just weeks before the midterm elections, a rare move that federal law enforcement agencies have historically worked to prevent, But Omar is not the first vocal critic of Trump's to be investigated by the federal government.

Voters in Ohio, meanwhile, will have access to an election protection hotline this cycle.

The free, nonpartisan hotline will be staffed by trained volunteers who can answer questions and solve in-the-moment problems.

Elizabeth Warner with the League of Women Voters of Ohio says states are anticipating more engagement than usual in this year's midterms.

More voters are expected to mail in ballots, vote early, and cast in-person votes on November 3rd.

And so with all those extra voters, that's more voters with questions.

A lot of new voters, a lot of voters who maybe haven't voted in a while.

There are new laws in Ohio, so there are going to be new questions.

In the latest of PNS polls in the run-up to the midterms, a new poll finds Puerto Rico's statehood is a decisive factor in the Hispanic vote in New York and nationwide.

Edwin J. Viera reports.

The McLaughlin and Associates survey finds more than two-thirds of Hispanic voters and Puerto Ricans support statehood as a means of reducing costs for the island territory's families.

Other polls show most American voters support statehood, but this is mostly among Democrats and independents.

Martín Rivera with the Puerto Rico Statehood Council says statehood can help with the territory's Medicaid cliff.

Puerto Rico is treated differently than the states when it comes to several benefits, including Medicaid.

And instead of the amount allotted and the federal matching rate that's allotted based on poverty level, Puerto Rico gets a block grant.

Medicaid $4 billion block grant expires in September 2027.

Without congressional action, the funding reverts to baseline levels, dropping federal contributions to less than a quarter of previous funding levels.

I'm Edwin J. Viera.

The chair of the Montana Democratic Party resigned yesterday and endorsed independent candidate Seth Bodner for Big Sky Country's Senate seat.

The announcement comes as the Democratic nominee, Alani Bankhead, refused to drop out of the race, despite lagging behind in resources.

Polls in a two-way race between Bodner and the Republican incumbent shows a dead heat.

A support splits when Bankhead is added.

I'm Zamone Perez for Pacifica Network and Public News Service.

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