Vanity Fair’s 2026 Midterm Elections Cheat Sheet: Key Races, Record Spending, and a Chameleon in Alaska

Vanity Fair has released its 2026 midterm elections cheat sheet, offering a comprehensive guide to a political season marked by stratospheric spending and unusual candidates. The piece highlights key races across the country, including a notable Alaska Senate contest featuring a candidate dubbed a 'chameleon' for shifting political identities. With control of Congress at stake, the midterms are shaping up to be both hugely consequential and very weird. The cheat sheet breaks down the essential dynamics, from fundraising hauls to candidate controversies, providing readers with what they need to know—and plenty they don't. As the election cycle heats up, all eyes are on how these factors will shape the balance of power in Washington.