Rubio Cites Economic Pain as Democrats Gain in Nevada and Maine

Days after voters handed Democrats control of Congress in the 2026 midterm elections, Secretary of State Marco Rubio acknowledged in a Friday evening address in Washington that Americans are experiencing real economic pain, while midterm returns in Maine and Nevada underscored the breadth of the Democratic gains across Senate, House, and statewide ballot contests.

Marco Rubio Acknowledges Economic Struggles and Defends Foreign Policy

Speaking Friday evening to the conservative Federalist Society in Washington, Secretary of State Marco Rubio recognized that household affordability—rather than stock market performance—drove voter frustration in the midterm elections, according to Associated Press diplomatic writer Matthew Lee via KCBS Radio. While President Donald Trump frequently pointed to stock market highs as proof of economic strength, voters angry over tariffs, gasoline prices, and unfulfilled 2024 promises to lower living costs delivered sweeping losses to Republicans.

"I think we have to recognize that people are struggling. There's no doubt about it," Rubio told the Federalist Society, adding that the health of the economy is measured by whether families can afford what they need rather than by the stock market, and warning against becoming the first generation to leave the next generation worse off. Rubio, a former Florida senator who gave a speech on Western values in Greece last month and has declined to say whether he will run for president in 2028 in a potential contest with Vice President JD Vance, also defended the U.S. war in Iran as necessary to prevent the Islamic Republic from obtaining a nuclear weapon while acknowledging the conflict drove up gasoline and related costs. Additionally, Rubio condemned the United Nations, the International Criminal Court, and international bureaucrats, criticizing what he called the "weaponization of international law" to constrain U.S. sovereignty and border policies.

Maine Sen. Susan Collins Concedes U.S. Senate Seat to Troy Jackson

In one of the decisive upsets that handed Democrats control of the U.S. Senate, five-term Republican Sen. Susan Collins of Maine conceded to Democratic challenger Troy Jackson around midnight Tuesday, according to The Center Square via The Press. Preliminary voting returns showed Jackson leading 52% to Collins' 47% even before the Associated Press formally called the race. In her concession statement, Collins cited her 30 years of service in the U.S. Senate and pledged that her staff would ensure a smooth transition for Jackson.

Nevada Approves Questions 6 and 7 as Democrats Win Three House Seats and Lead a Fourth

In Nevada, voters elected three Democratic U.S. House incumbents, gave a fourth Democrat the lead in a historically Republican northern district, and approved two constitutional amendments on Tuesday, according to The Center Square contributor Liam Hibbert via The Press.

In the 1st Congressional District covering parts of Las Vegas and the Strip, Democrat Dina Titus won her eighth term with 59.01% (127,098 votes) over Republican state Sen. Carrie Buck of Henderson at 38.01% (81,873 votes). In the 3rd District, Democrat Susie Lee defeated Republican Marty O'Donnell with 59.14% (146,863 votes) to 38.6% (95,845 votes). In the 4th District covering rural Southern Nevada, Democrat Steven Horsford defeated Republican Cody Whipple with 60.5% (134,980 votes) to 37.66% (84,017 votes). Meanwhile, in the Reno and Northern Nevada 2nd Congressional District—which was created in 1980, was left open by retiring Republican Rep. Mark Amodei of Carson City, and had never elected a Democrat—Democrat Theresa Benitez-Thompson declared victory Wednesday afternoon while leading Reno Republican David Flippo 50.75% (144,014 votes) to 44.06% (125,031 votes). In the Nevada Legislature, Democrats won seven of 11 contested Senate seats to hold a 13-to-8 majority in the 21-member chamber, and won 28 of 42 Assembly seats (to Republicans' five, with nine uncalled).

Nevada voters also approved Question 6 for the second required time (following 64.4% approval in 2024) by 63.33% (601,533 votes), enshrining abortion rights up to 24 weeks into the state constitution in an effort praised by Reproductive Freedom for All Nevada director Denise Lopez. At the same time, voters passed Question 7—backed by Republican Gov. Joe Lombardo—by 62.29% (595,823 votes), amending the state constitution to require photo ID at polling places or the last four digits of a driver's license or Social Security number on mail-in ballots.