Southern Bellwethers?

About this episode

The episode discusses upcoming Senate runoffs in the Deep South and analyzes close Republican primaries with insights from guest Jessica Taylor.

We've got Senate runoffs in the Deep South next week, and that means we already know what's in the bag... right? Wrong! Jessica Taylor, Cook Political Report's Senate and Governors Editor, returns to update us on a couple of surprisingly close Republican primaries. Tune in to hear about an Alabama outsider's formidable challenge to the Trump-endorsed candidate and the Republicans hoping to unseat a relatively strong John Ossoff in the increasingly purple Peach State. The duo also looks ahead to the next big Democratic Senate primary in Michigan. Plus, Henry jets around the far corners of the country for a rant on Graham Platner's win in Maine, Spencer Pratt's loss in Los Angeles, and how ranked-choice voting might leave Congressional control uncertain if races in Alaska and Maine remain tight. And we take a look at a trio of uber-expensive ads for a California gubernatorial candidate you may not have even heard about.

People in this episode

Host: Henry Olsen

Guest: Jessica Taylor

Topics covered

• Senate runoffs
• Republican primaries
• Democratic Senate primary
• ranked-choice voting
• political ads

Keywords

• Senate runoffs
• Republican primaries
• John Ossoff
• ranked-choice voting
• political ads

Mentioned in this episode

Places: Alabama, Michigan, California, Maine, Los Angeles, Alaska, Deep South, Peach State

More episodes of Beyond the Polls with Henry Olsen

• Mapmaker, Matchmaker · June 4, 2026 · 52 min
• This Year's Model · May 28, 2026 · 1h 8m
• Waving Cane in the Lone Star State · May 21, 2026 · 54 min
• Peachy Primaries and Commonwealth Commotions · May 14, 2026 · 59 min
• Safe Senate Seat Scuffles · May 7, 2026 · 53 min
• Beggars Can't Be Hoosiers · April 30, 2026 · 50 min