The Climate Hushing Election

What do a Democratic firefighter running for Congress in Montana and a Republican educator running for Senate in Louisiana have in common? They're both campaigning on climate issues—without ever saying the words "climate change." From wildfires to floods, housing to electricity, communities across America are looking for solutions that are sustainable. Environmentally, yes—but increasingly, economically. As voters grapple with rising costs, energy affordability has become one of the defining issues of the 2026 midterms. At the same time, AI and data centers have emerged as new political flashpoints, fueling debates over electricity prices and environmental impacts. Recorded live at Aspen Ideas Climate, hosts Julia Pyper, Brandon Hurlbut, and Neil Chatterjee are joined by veteran Democratic strategist Mitch Stewart of 270 Strategies to explore whether 2026 is becoming the "climate hushing election." They examine new polling, break down campaign ads, and debate how messaging on energy, affordability, AI, and data centers could shape who controls Congress. Political Climate is presented by ClearPath, one of the most influential organizations working to advance American energy innovation while reducing global emissions. Subscribe to catch all of our latest episodes! Please consider leaving us a review to help others find the show. Visit politicalclimatepodcast.com to sign up for our newsletter.