Nathan Gonzales and Jacob Rubashkin tackle tough end-of-the-year questions with a holiday mailbag episode. From the state of the midterm elections, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez’s electoral future, and each party’s recruitment holes in the fight for the House to the Roman Empire, Star Trek and the Seattle Seahawks, Jacob and Nathan cover a lot of territory.

Twitter profiles:

@nathanlgonzales

@jacobrubashkin

@InsideElections

The Inside Elections podcast analyzes congressional, presidential and gubernatorial races in a nonpartisan, data-driven, and accessible way. With a combination of reporting and data, Inside Elections brings valuable context to complex races. Go to InsideElections.com to subscribe to the bi-weekly newsletter through individual subscriptions and group packages that are tailored for association and corporate PACs.

Referenced articles:

North Carolina Senate: Tar Heel Target [Inside Elections]

https://www.insideelections.com/news/article/north-carolina-senate-whatley-cooper-morrow-tillis

New Jersey 11 Special: A Morris & Essex Mess [Inside Elections]

https://www.insideelections.com/news/article/new-jersey-11-special-a-morris-essex-mess

Nebraska 2: High Stakes in Omaha [Inside Elections]

https://www.insideelections.com/news/article/nebraska-2-high-stakes-in-omaha-bacon-cavanaugh-powell-harding-lindstrom

2026 House Ratings [Inside Elections]

https://www.insideelections.com/ratings/house/2026-house-ratings-december-5-2025

2026 Senate Ratings [Inside Elections]

https://www.insideelections.com/ratings/senate/2026-senate-ratings-december-19-2025

2026 Gubernatorial Ratings [Inside Elections]

https://insideelections.com/ratings/governor/2025-26-gubernatorial-ratings-august-28-2025

Inside Elections merch [Dashery]

https://inside-elections.dashery.com/

Nathan Gonzales and Jacob Rubashkin cover the latest House and Senate election news and discuss the art of political handicapping with the University of Virginia’s Larry Sabato, one of the most prominent analysts in the country.

Twitter profiles: @nathanlgonzales @jacobrubashkin @kirk_bado @LarrySabatao @InsideElections

The Inside Elections podcast analyzes congressional, presidential and gubernatorial races in a nonpartisan, data-driven, and accessible way. With a combination of reporting and data, Inside Elections brings valuable context to complex races. Go to InsideElections.com to subscribe to the bi-weekly newsletter through individual subscriptions and group packages that are tailored for association and corporate PACs.

Referenced articles:

It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like a Traditional Midterm [Inside Elections]

https://www.insideelections.com/news/article/2026-traditional-midterm-election-tennessee-special-election

Is the House battleground going back to the future [Roll Call]

https://rollcall.com/2025/11/19/house-battleground-midterm-elections-2026/

Sabato’s Crystal Ball at the University of Virginia’s Center for Politics

https://centerforpolitics.org/crystalball/

2026 House Ratings [Inside Elections]

https://www.insideelections.com/ratings/house/2026-house-ratings-december-5-2025

2026 Senate Ratings [Inside Elections]

https://insideelections.com/ratings/senate/2026-senate-ratings-october-22-2025

2026 Gubernatorial Ratings [Inside Elections]

https://insideelections.com/ratings/governor/2025-26-gubernatorial-ratings-august-28-2025

Inside Elections merch [Dashery]

https://inside-elections.dashery.com/

Nathan Gonzales, Jacob Rubashkin and Kirk Bado of National Journal’s Hotline celebrate Thanksgiving by prescribing what Republicans, Democrats and even President Donald Trump should be thankful for in this holiday season. Jacob and Kirk also discuss good and bad recent movies while Nathan is thankful for the Seattle Seahawks star wide receiver breaking receiving records of a former congressman from Oklahoma.

Twitter profiles:

@nathanlgonzales

@jacobrubashkin

@kirk_bado

@InsideElections

The Inside Elections podcast analyzes congressional, presidential and gubernatorial races in a nonpartisan, data-driven, and accessible way. With a combination of reporting and data, Inside Elections brings valuable context to complex races. Go to InsideElections.com to subscribe to the bi-weekly newsletter through individual subscriptions and group packages that are tailored for association and corporate PACs.

Referenced articles:

Maryland 6: Trone Polls Primary Matchup Against Incumbent McClain Delaney? [Inside Elections]

https://www.insideelections.com/news/article/maryland-6-trone-delaney-primary-poll

Tennessee 7 Special: Democrats in Green? [Inside Elections]

https://www.insideelections.com/news/article/tennessee-7-democrats-in-the-green-van-epps-behn

10 Things Losing Candidates Say [Inside Elections]

https://insideelections.com/news/article/10-things-losing-candidates-say

Why Cornyn is Still at Risk of Losing in Texas [Roll Call]

https://rollcall.com/2025/10/20/john-cornyn-texas-senate-reelection-paxton/

The Congresswoman and the Taxpayer-funded TV ads [Inside Elections]

https://www.insideelections.com/news/article/the-congresswoman-cherfilus-mccormick-the-taxpayer-funded-tv-ads

2026 House Ratings [Inside Elections]

https://www.insideelections.com/ratings/house/2026-house-ratings-november-20-2025

2026 Senate Ratings [Inside Elections]

https://insideelections.com/ratings/senate/2026-senate-ratings-october-22-2025

2026 Gubernatorial Ratings [Inside Elections]

https://insideelections.com/ratings/governor/2025-26-gubernatorial-ratings-august-28-2025

Inside Elections merch [Dashery]

https://inside-elections.dashery.com/

Nathan Gonzales, Jacob Rubashkin and Leah Askarinam of the Associated Press discuss their key takeaways from the recent elections in Virginia, New Jersey, California and New York City and talk about how the recent Senate vote to end the government shutdown could impact the 2026 midterm elections. Nathan also gives an update on the Dallas Dragons, as they make their way through the 5A Oregon High School football playoffs.a

Twitter profiles:

@nathanlgonzales

@jacobrubashkin

@leahaskarinam

@InsideElections

The Inside Elections podcast analyzes congressional, presidential and gubernatorial races in a nonpartisan, data-driven, and accessible way. With a combination of reporting and data, Inside Elections brings valuable context to complex races. Go to InsideElections.com to subscribe to the bi-weekly newsletter through individual subscriptions and group packages that are tailored for association and corporate PACs.

Referenced articles:

12 Initial Takeaways from Tuesday’s Elections [Inside Elections]

https://www.insideelections.com/news/article/12-initial-takeaways-from-tuesdays-elections

A Detailed Analysis of California’s (Maybe) New Congressional Map [Inside Elections]

https://www.insideelections.com/news/article/a-detailed-analysis-california-redistricting-new-map-texas-gerrymandering

2026 House Ratings [Inside Elections]

https://insideelections.com/ratings/house/2026-house-ratings-november-6-2025

2026 Senate Ratings [Inside Elections]

https://insideelections.com/ratings/senate/2026-senate-ratings-october-22-2025

2026 Gubernatorial Ratings [Inside Elections]

https://insideelections.com/ratings/governor/2025-26-gubernatorial-ratings-august-28-2025

Inside Elections merch [Dashery]

https://inside-elections.dashery.com/

Nathan Gonzales, Jacob Rubashkin and Melanie Mason of Politico analyze the fate of Proposition 50 in California as Gov. Gavin Newsom and Democrats try to counter President Donald Trump and Republicans’ efforts to redistrict in GOP states nationwide. The crew also walks through more than half a dozen individual seats and current incumbents that will be impacted if voters approve the new map.

Twitter profiles:

@nathanlgonzales

@jacobrubashkin

@melmason

@InsideElections

The Inside Elections podcast analyzes congressional, presidential and gubernatorial races in a nonpartisan, data-driven, and accessible way. With a combination of reporting and data, Inside Elections brings valuable context to complex races. Go to InsideElections.com to subscribe to the bi-weekly newsletter through individual subscriptions and group packages that are tailored for association and corporate PACs.

Referenced articles:

A Detailed Analysis of California’s (Maybe) New Congressional Map [Inside Elections]

https://www.insideelections.com/news/article/a-detailed-analysis-california-redistricting-new-map-texas-gerrymandering

Brad Pitt and Minnesota’s 8th District [Roll Call]

https://rollcall.com/2013/06/10/brad-pitt-and-minnesotas-8th-district/

2026 House Ratings [Inside Elections]

https://insideelections.com/ratings/house/2026-house-ratings-october-23-2025

2026 Senate Ratings [Inside Elections]

https://insideelections.com/ratings/senate/2026-senate-ratings-october-22-2025

2026 Gubernatorial Ratings [Inside Elections]

https://insideelections.com/ratings/governor/2025-26-gubernatorial-ratings-august-28-2025

Inside Elections merch [Dashery]

https://inside-elections.dashery.com/

Nathan Gonzales, Jacob Rubashkin and Alex Seitz-Wald of Midcoast Villager take a deep dive into Maine with a focus on the Democratic Senate primary between Gov. Janet Mills and oysterman Graham Platner before taking on Republican Susan Collins, a look at the 2nd District battle between Democratic Rep. Jared Golden and former GOP Gov. Paul LePage, and talk about which Bush family member is running for governor. Jacob also reveals is guilty pleasure TV show featuring C-list celebrities, Alex introduces the crew to indie harp pop and Nathan considers a concert in Baltimore featuring a metal Star Wars band.

Twitter profiles:

@nathanlgonzales

@jacobrubashkin

@aseitzwald

@InsideElections

The Inside Elections podcast analyzes congressional, presidential and gubernatorial races in a nonpartisan, data-driven, and accessible way. With a combination of reporting and data, Inside Elections brings valuable context to complex races. Go to InsideElections.com to subscribe to the bi-weekly newsletter through individual subscriptions and group packages that are tailored for association and corporate PACs.

Referenced articles:

Midcoast Villager

https://www.midcoastvillager.com/

Maine 2: Turning LePage on Golden? [Inside Elections]

https://www.insideelections.com/news/article/maine-2-turning-lepage-on-golden

2026 Gubernatorial Ratings [Inside Elections]

https://insideelections.com/ratings/governor/2025-26-gubernatorial-ratings-august-28-2025

2026 House Ratings [Inside Elections]

https://www.insideelections.com/ratings/house/2026-house-ratings-october-1-2025

2026 Senate Ratings [Inside Elections]

https://insideelections.com/ratings/senate/2026-senate-ratings-august-28-2025

Inside Elections merch [Dashery]

https://inside-elections.dashery.com/

Nathan Gonzales, Jacob Rubashkin and Steve Kornacki of NBC News take a fresh look at the battle for the House majority with a little more than a year before the midterm elections, analyze the latest numbers in the race for governor in New Jersey this year and talk about how Steve went from covering Congress at Roll Call to covering sports for football and the Kentucky Derby for NBC Sports. The crew also discuss Jacob’s latest IMAX adventure, SEC football and Oregon high school football.

Twitter profiles:

@nathanlgonzales

@jacobrubashkin

@SteveKornacki

@InsideElections

The Inside Elections podcast analyzes congressional, presidential and gubernatorial races in a nonpartisan, data-driven, and accessible way. With a combination of reporting and data, Inside Elections brings valuable context to complex races. Go to InsideElections.com to subscribe to the bi-weekly newsletter through individual subscriptions and group packages that are tailored for association and corporate PACs.

Referenced articles:

Iowa Senate: Democrats Reach for Open Seat? [Inside Elections]

https://www.insideelections.com/news/article/iowa-senate-democrats-reach-for-open-seat

2026 Gubernatorial Ratings [Inside Elections]

https://insideelections.com/ratings/governor/2025-26-gubernatorial-ratings-august-28-2025

2026 House Ratings [Inside Elections]

https://www.insideelections.com/ratings/house/2026-house-ratings-september-29-2025

2026 Senate Ratings [Inside Elections]

https://insideelections.com/ratings/senate/2026-senate-ratings-august-28-2025

Inside Elections merch [Dashery]

https://inside-elections.dashery.com/

Nathan Gonzales, Jacob Rubashkin and Abby Turner of National Journal’s Hotline analyze the key messages and strategies ahead of the two biggest races of 2025 (the New Jersey and Virginia races for governor) as Republicans try to keep up their momentum from 2024 and Democrats try to get a bump heading into 2026. Jacob also celebrates victory over the Claw game, Abby gives an initial review of The Paper, and Nathan explains his dislike for awards shows despite his favorite comedian just hosting one.

Twitter profiles:

@nathanlgonzales

@jacobrubashkin

@abbyyturner_

@InsideElections

The Inside Elections podcast analyzes congressional, presidential and gubernatorial races in a nonpartisan, data-driven, and accessible way. With a combination of reporting and data, Inside Elections brings valuable context to complex races. Go to InsideElections.com to subscribe to the bi-weekly newsletter through individual subscriptions and group packages that are tailored for association and corporate PACs.

Referenced articles:

Ahead of November elections, Democrats stress-test affordability message [National Journal]

https://www.nationaljournal.com/s/729562/ahead-of-november-elections-democrats-stress-test-affordability-message/?unlock=YYCZSP8994YC8S8U

2025-26 Gubernatorial Overview: Open Seat Bonanza [Inside Elections]

https://insideelections.com/news/article/2025-2026-gubernatorial-overview-august-28-2025-open-seat-bonanza

2026 House Overview: Can Redistricting Cushion Potential Fall? [Inside Elections]

https://www.insideelections.com/news/article/2026-house-overview-sept.-11-2025-can-redistricting-cushion-potential-fall

2026 Gubernatorial Ratings [Inside Elections]

https://insideelections.com/ratings/governor/2025-26-gubernatorial-ratings-august-28-2025

2026 House Ratings [Inside Elections]

https://insideelections.com/ratings/house/2026-house-ratings-september-11-2025

2026 Senate Ratings [Inside Elections]

https://insideelections.com/ratings/senate/2026-senate-ratings-august-28-2025

Inside Elections merch [Dashery]

https://inside-elections.dashery.com/

Nathan Gonzales, Jacob Rubashkin and Gabby Birenbaum of The Texas Tribune break down the critical Republican primary in the Texas Senate race between Sen. John Cornyn and state Attorney General Ken Paxton and analyze the five individual House seats most affected by Republicans’ mid-decade redistricting effort encouraged by President Donald Trump.

Twitter profiles:

@nathanlgonzales

@jacobrubashkin

@birenbomb

@InsideElections

The Inside Elections podcast analyzes congressional, presidential and gubernatorial races in a nonpartisan, data-driven, and accessible way. With a combination of reporting and data, Inside Elections brings valuable context to complex races. Go to InsideElections.com to subscribe to the bi-weekly newsletter through individual subscriptions and group packages that are tailored for association and corporate PACs.

Referenced articles:

A Detailed Analysis of Texas’ New Congressional Map [Inside Elections]

https://www.insideelections.com/news/article/a-detailed-analysis-of-texas-new-congressional-map

How Democrats Pressured U.S. Rep. Lloyd Doggett to step aside for next generation [Texas Tribune]

https://www.texastribune.org/2025/09/08/lloyd-doggett-greg-casar-texas-redistricting-retirement-democrats-aust/

2026 House Ratings [Inside Elections]

https://insideelections.com/ratings/house/2026-house-ratings-august-28-2025

Poll Finds Cornyn, Paxton in Dead Heat in Texas’ Senate GOP Primary [Texas Tribune]

https://www.texastribune.org/2025/08/15/paxton-cornyn-texas-senate-poll-august-emerson/

Iowa Senate: Ernest Out, Republicans Sill Favored [Inside Elections]

https://www.insideelections.com/news/article/iowa-senate-ernst-out-republicans-still-favored

2026 Senate Ratings [Inside Elections]

https://manage.insideelections.com/ratings/senate/2026-senate-ratings-august-28-2025

Inside Elections merch [Dashery]

https://inside-elections.dashery.com/

Nathan Gonzales, Jacob Rubashkin and Kyle Kondik of Larry Sabato’s Crystal Ball at the University of Virginia dive into the Ohio Senate race where former Democratic Sen. Sherrod Brown is challenging Republican Sen. Jon Husted, who was appointed to replace Vice President J.D. Vance, in a difficult, must-win contest for Democrats. The episode also includes Jacob’s new favorite Mexican restaurant, Kyle’s love for Rome, and Nathan’s journey in selling his old toys online.

Twitter profiles:

@nathanlgonzales

@jacobrubashkin

@kkondik

@InsideElections

The Inside Elections podcast analyzes congressional, presidential and gubernatorial races in a nonpartisan, data-driven, and accessible way. With a combination of reporting and data, Inside Elections brings valuable context to complex races. Go to InsideElections.com to subscribe to the bi-weekly newsletter through individual subscriptions and group packages that are tailored for association and corporate PACs.

Referenced articles:

Ohio Senate: Brown Decision Shifts Race Out of Solid [Inside Elections]

https://www.insideelections.com/news/article/ohio-senate-sherrod-brown-decision-shifts-race-out-of-solid-jon-husted

Parties Engage in Redistricting Arms Race [Inside Elections]

https://www.insideelections.com/news/article/parties-engage-in-redistricting-arms-race

2026 Senate Ratings [Inside Elections]

https://www.insideelections.com/ratings/senate/2026-senate-ratings-august-12-2025

How the Redistricting Fight Could Change the Bias in the House [Crystal Ball]

https://centerforpolitics.org/crystalball/how-the-redistricting-fight-could-change-the-bias-in-the-house-and-other-notes-on-the-state-of-politics/

Inside Elections merch [Dashery]

https://inside-elections.dashery.com/