How debates became high-risk and low-reward in the viral era
Summary
Many candidates in the 2026 midterm races are skipping debates, while debates that do happen can produce short viral clips used in campaign ads. Strategists quoted in the article say candidates risk damaging their campaigns with a single moment, even though a debate may not help them win.Key Facts
- Eighteen of 35 Senate races and 12 of 36 gubernatorial races did not feature debates between the major-party candidates.
- More than half of the 2026 Senate races will not have major-party debates, including Ohio and Texas, both rated toss-ups by CBS News.
- In Maine, Democratic Senate nominee Troy Jackson told incumbent Sen. Susan Collins to “shut up” during an Oct. 15 debate; the clip appeared in Republican attack ads.
- Texas Democratic Senate candidate James Talarico repeatedly called for a debate with Republican Ken Paxton and later held a solo CNN town hall.
- A third of this cycle’s gubernatorial races will not have debates, compared with seven of the 36 races in 2022.
- Ohio Democratic gubernatorial candidate Amy Acton said she would not debate Republican nominee Vivek Ramaswamy.
- Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs declined to debate Republican Rep. Andy Biggs, saying face-to-face interactions with voters were more effective.
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