Politics

Feb 11, 2026 David W. Brady  and Michael Spence

US voters may well embrace the Democratic Party in this year’s midterm elections. But neither that outcome nor the 2028 election is likely to lead to a realignment of US politics that delivers a government capable of sustaining policies long enough to address the problems the country faces.

STANFORD/MILAN – With political turmoil roiling the United States, talk about this year’s midterm congressional elections in November is already picking up steam. In last year’s key elections, the Democrats racked up a string of victories, including in gubernatorial votes in New Jersey and Virginia, special elections to Virginia’s General Assembly, and mayoral races in Miami and New York City. While this bodes well for the Democrats in the coming midterms, US politics is likely to remain dysfunctional for a long time to come.