Commentary: What to watch for in the US midterm elections - CNA

This week will tell us many important things about the future of American politics, says Rana Foroohar for the Financial Times.

US President Donald Trump campaigns ahead of the midterms in San Antonio, Texas, US, on Oct 7, 2026. (File photo: Reuters/Callaghan O'Hare)

NEW YORK: The American midterm elections always matter, but this week’s vote carries a weight that we haven’t seen in decades.

It’s a referendum not just on individual candidates, but on the system itself. Will it hold after years of gerrymandering and ever more polarised politics? Will there be unrest at the polls, or denial of the results from the White House? And what will the voting tell us about where America may be heading longer term politically and economically?

On that score, there are five key issues I’ll be watching for.