GOP Struggles with Health Care, Divisions as 2026 Midterms Loom

This is your RNC News podcast. The Republican Party and the Republican National Committee are dealing with significant internal debates and major policy challenges as the 2026 midterm campaign season ramps up. One of the biggest flashpoints over the past several days is health care policy. According to the Associated Press, Republicans at town halls are facing mounting frustration from constituents as premiums for Affordable Care Act insurance plans are set to spike dramatically in 2026. While Republican leaders continue to criticize the structure and cost of the Affordable Care Act, there’s still no unified plan or clear alternative, a dilemma that exposes divisions within the party. Donald Trump, the leading GOP figure, has promised alternatives but has yet to provide specifics, and ongoing government shutdown negotiations are further compounding the health care stalemate. Party leaders like House Speaker Mike Johnson are pushing for private sector and free-market reforms while resisting Democratic demands to renew expiring tax credits for ACA plans, but grass-roots pressure is clearly rising. In the world of election headlines, Republicans are busy preparing for key gubernatorial and legislative races heading into 2026. In Oregon, Christine Drazan has just launched her second campaign for governor, aiming for a likely rematch with incumbent Democrat Tina Kotek. Drazan is critiquing the state’s homelessness crisis, rising costs, and policy approach as reasons for change, positioning herself as a new voice for Republican leadership in a state where the GOP has been out of power for years, as reported by Oregon Public Broadcasting. Meanwhile, in Illinois, the Republican field for the next governor’s race is solidifying, with party leaders like Cook County GOP Chair Aaron Del Mar joining state tickets and emphasizing the need to build a broader coalition, according to WTTW Chicago. At the local level, key urban contests are drawing attention. In New York City, the New York Young Republican Club is urging Republican voters to reject six new ballot propositions that they argue would weaken conservative influence and increase municipal spending. The party is also focused on hotly contested city council seats, such as in Brooklyn’s District 47, where Republicans seek to counter opponents tied to progressive and Democratic Socialists of America factions. Recent election polling reported by RealClearPolling shows the Republican Party’s national favorability rating is lagging behind the Democrats, standing at just over 41%, with more than half of respondents expressing an unfavorable view. Democrats currently hold a slim lead in the generic congressional ballot for the 2026 midterms. Early polling out of Virginia highlights competitive races for statewide offices. Republican Attorney General Jason Miyares is holding a narrow lead, while in the lieutenant governor contest, the Democratic candidate has a slight edge. Exit polling finds that top issues