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EXPLORE · WEEK OF AUG 10 – 16, 2026UPDATED OCT 1, 11:29 AM ET

The week in Congress news.

The week’s biggest stories about members of Congress and 2026 candidates: who covered them, how each side told them, and what each side is seeing less of.

‹ AUG 3–9THIS WEEK
QUIET WEEK · THE HOUSE AND SENATE WERE IN RECESS
TOP STORY · 1 SENATOR · 1 REP. · AUG 10–12

South Carolina Senate Primary Sends Graham and Norman to Runoff

Darline Graham and Ralph Norman advanced from South Carolina’s Republican Senate primary to a runoff, with President Donald Trump having endorsed Graham. Coverage differs on whether the contest tests Trump’s influence or centers on the candidates and next election.

Darline GrahamSENATOR · R-SCRalph NormanREP. · R-SC-5
OUTLETS35
ARTICLES39
LEFT0
CENTER18
RIGHT9
UNRATED8
PHOTO · WTOP NEWSSen. Darline Graham, US Rep. Ralph Norman advance to GOP runoff for US Senate in South Carolina
HOW EACH SIDE TOLD ITUNRATED · 8 OUTLETS, E.G. HTTPS://WWW.WBAY.COM
LEFT-LEANING0 OUTLETS
No left-leaning outlet has covered this yet.
CENTER18 OUTLETSThe runoff result and next stepsCenter outlets emphasize the primary outcome and Aug. 25 runoff, generally presenting the candidates and next election steps descriptively.
“Sen. Darline Graham, US Rep. Ralph Norman advance to GOP runoff for US Senate in South Carolina”ASSOCIATED PRESS · CRED 97 · MOST CREDIBLE ON THIS SIDE
RIGHT-LEANING9 OUTLETSTrump’s influence in the runoffSome right-leaning outlets cast the contest as a test of Trump’s influence or a choice between establishment and conservative candidates; FITSNews frames it as a proxy battle.
“South Carolina Senate runoff set after no GOP candidate clears 50%”FOX NEWS · CRED 71 · MOST CREDIBLE ON THIS SIDE
The runoff result and next stepsCenter outlets emphasize the primary outcome and Aug. 25 runoff, generally presenting the candidates and next election steps descriptively.
“Sen. Darline Graham, US Rep. Ralph Norman advance to GOP runoff for US Senate in South Carolina”ASSOCIATED PRESS · CRED 97 · MOST CREDIBLE ON THIS SIDE
UNRATED · 8 OUTLETS, E.G. HTTPS://WWW.WBAY.COM
RIGHT-LEANING OUTLETS ARRIVED 30H LATEROpen the story →
MOST-COVERED STORIES · RANKED BY OUTLETS

What got covered most

74 of 151 stories reached 3+ outlets
74 of 151 stories reached 3+ outlets
EACH BAR SHOWS WHO COVERED THE STORYLeft-leaningCenterRight-leaningUnrated outletsHOW WE RATE OUTLETS →
1
South Carolina Senate Primary Sends Graham and Norman to RunoffDarline Graham and Ralph Norman advanced from South Carolina’s Republican Senate primary to a runoff, with President Donald Trump having endorsed Graham. Coverage differs on whether the contest tests Trump’s influence or centers on the candidates and next election.Darline GrahamR-SCRalph NormanR-SC-535 OUTLETS · 39 ARTICLES · AUG 10–12BLIND SPOT · LEFT-LEANING READERS SEE LESSRIGHT-LEANING 30H LATER
WHO COVERED IT35 OUTLETS35 OUTLETS · 39 ARTICLESAUG 10–120 left-leaning · 18 center · 9 right-leaning · 8 unrated.No left-leaning outletsBLIND SPOT · LEFT-LEANING READERS SEE LESSRIGHT 30H LATER
2
South Carolina Senate Special Primary Sends Candidates to RunoffSouth Carolina Republicans held a special primary for the Senate seat left vacant by Lindsey Graham’s death, sending Darline Graham and Ralph Norman to a runoff. Coverage ranges from a test of Trump’s influence to the runoff result and candidates’ priorities and campaign choices.Darline GrahamR-SCRalph NormanR-SC-5+1 MORE28 OUTLETS · 35 ARTICLES · AUG 8–13LEFT-LEANING 66H LATER
WHO COVERED IT28 OUTLETS28 OUTLETS · 35 ARTICLESAUG 8–131 left-leaning · 15 center · 4 right-leaning · 8 unrated.Mostly center outletsLEFT 66H LATER
3
Peggy Flanagan Defeats Angie Craig in Minnesota Senate PrimaryPeggy Flanagan defeated Angie Craig in Minnesota’s Democratic Senate primary. Coverage ranges from the result and Craig’s campaign record to a broader sign of progressive gains within the Democratic Party.Angie CraigD-MN-2Margaret FlanaganD-MN28 OUTLETS · 31 ARTICLES · AUG 10–16LEFT- AND RIGHT-LEANING 50H LATER
WHO COVERED IT28 OUTLETS28 OUTLETS · 31 ARTICLESAUG 10–162 left-leaning · 16 center · 4 right-leaning · 6 unrated.Mostly center outletsLEFT & RIGHT 50H LATER
4
Deadline to Replace Max Miller on Ohio Ballot PassesOhio’s deadline to replace Max Miller on the general-election ballot passed, leaving him in the race as Brian Poindexter campaigns. Coverage centers on allegations against Miller, calls for him to withdraw, and the race’s competitiveness.Max L. MillerR-OH-7Brian PoindexterD-OH27 OUTLETS · 27 ARTICLES · AUG 10–11
WHO COVERED IT27 OUTLETS27 OUTLETS · 27 ARTICLESAUG 10–110 left-leaning · 24 center · 0 right-leaning · 3 unrated.Only center outlets
5
Emily Moreno Sues Max Miller Over Daughter’s ImageEmily Moreno sued Rep. Max Miller, alleging an image of their daughter was made public in files shared online. Coverage differs on whether to place the suit amid wider allegations or emphasize the lawyer’s account of an accidental release.Max L. MillerR-OH-718 OUTLETS · 19 ARTICLES · AUG 10–14LEFT- AND RIGHT-LEANING 55H LATER
WHO COVERED IT18 OUTLETS18 OUTLETS · 19 ARTICLESAUG 10–143 left-leaning · 8 center · 3 right-leaning · 4 unrated.Mostly center outletsLEFT & RIGHT 55H LATER
6
Senators Release Fauci Texts About COVID Vaccination During PregnancySens. Rand Paul and Ron Johnson released Anthony Fauci messages discussing COVID-19 vaccination during pregnancy. Coverage differs over whether they reveal a gap in public assurances or are being used to cast doubt on vaccination; center stories also scrutinize Johnson’s miscarriage-rate claim.Ron JohnsonR-WIRand PaulR-KY17 OUTLETS · 20 ARTICLES · AUG 10–16LEFT-LEANING 49H LATER
WHO COVERED IT17 OUTLETS17 OUTLETS · 20 ARTICLESAUG 10–161 left-leaning · 10 center · 5 right-leaning · 1 unrated.Mostly center outletsLEFT 49H LATER
7
Peggy Flanagan Wins Minnesota Democratic Senate PrimaryFlanagan defeated Angie Craig in Minnesota’s Democratic Senate primary. Coverage ranges from a straightforward result to a progressive organizing story and a broader debate over party leadership and policy.Margaret FlanaganD-MN17 OUTLETS · 19 ARTICLES · AUG 11–13LEFT-LEANING 12H LATER
WHO COVERED IT17 OUTLETS17 OUTLETS · 19 ARTICLESAUG 11–133 left-leaning · 7 center · 5 right-leaning · 2 unrated.Covered across the spectrumLEFT 12H LATER
8
Russell Fry Endorses Darline Graham in Senate Primary RunoffRep. Russell Fry endorsed Sen. Darline Graham for South Carolina’s Republican Senate runoff against Rep. Ralph Norman. Coverage on both sides centers on the endorsement and the runoff context.Russell FryR-SC-7Darline GrahamR-SC15 OUTLETS · 15 ARTICLES · AUG 14–17
WHO COVERED IT15 OUTLETS15 OUTLETS · 15 ARTICLESAUG 14–170 left-leaning · 10 center · 3 right-leaning · 2 unrated.No left-leaning outlets
9
Luke Bronin Defeats John Larson in Connecticut Democratic PrimaryLuke Bronin defeated John Larson in Connecticut’s Democratic primary. Coverage diverges on whether the result signals generational change or chiefly marks the defeat of a longtime incumbent.John B. LarsonD-CT-1Luke BroninD-CT13 OUTLETS · 13 ARTICLES · AUG 11–12RIGHT-LEANING 22H LATER
WHO COVERED IT13 OUTLETS13 OUTLETS · 13 ARTICLESAUG 11–120 left-leaning · 9 center · 2 right-leaning · 2 unrated.No left-leaning outletsRIGHT 22H LATER
10
North Carolina GOP Selects Jennifer Balkcom as NomineeNorth Carolina Republicans chose Jennifer Balkcom to replace Chuck Edwards as their nominee against Jamie Ager. Left-leaning outlets stress possible Democratic gains; center outlets connect the change to Edwards's ethics inquiry, while right-leaning outlets emphasize the nomination and race.Jennifer BalkcomR-NCChuck EdwardsR-NC-1112 OUTLETS · 12 ARTICLES · AUG 10–11
WHO COVERED IT12 OUTLETS12 OUTLETS · 12 ARTICLESAUG 10–111 left-leaning · 5 center · 3 right-leaning · 3 unrated.Mostly center outlets
Showing 10 of 74
BLIND SPOTS · THIS WEEK

What each side is seeing less of

Stories that outlets on one side covered and the other side mostly didn’t. The rule is strict, so most weeks only a handful qualify.

HOW WE DECIDE →ALSO IN SOURCES →
LEFT-LEANING READERS ARE SEEING LESS OF9 THIS WEEK
BLIND SPOTAUG 10–12South Carolina Senate Primary Sends Graham and Norman to RunoffDarline GrahamSENATOR · R-SCRalph NormanREP. · R-SC-535 outlets: 18 center, 9 right-leaning, 8 unrated. No left-leaning outlets.
BLIND SPOTAUG 10–1235 OUTLETS · 33% RIGHT
ONE-SIDEDAUG 131988 Police Report Describes Incident Involving Troy JacksonTroy JacksonSENATE CANDIDATE · D-ME5 outlets: 5 right-leaning. No left-leaning or center outlets.
ONE-SIDEDAUG 135 OUTLETS · 100% RIGHT
ONE-SIDEDAUG 11–14Fetterman Says He Won't Campaign Against McCormickJohn FettermanSENATOR · D-PA4 outlets: 3 right-leaning, 1 unrated. No left-leaning or center outlets.
ONE-SIDEDAUG 11–144 OUTLETS · 100% RIGHT
ONE-SIDEDAUG 6–11Bernie Sanders Says He Is Unlikely to Endorse Francesca HongBernie SandersSENATOR · I-VTAlexandria Ocasio-CortezREP. · D-NY-144 outlets: 4 right-leaning. No left-leaning or center outlets.
ONE-SIDEDAUG 6–114 OUTLETS · 100% RIGHT
ONE-SIDEDAUG 14–20Abdul El-Sayed Scheduled to Speak at ISNA Annual ConventionAbdul El-SayedSENATE CANDIDATE · D-MI3 outlets: 3 right-leaning. No left-leaning or center outlets.
ONE-SIDEDAUG 14–203 OUTLETS · 100% RIGHT
RIGHT-LEANING READERS ARE SEEING LESS OF4 THIS WEEK
BLIND SPOTAUG 10–11Trump Team Urges Ohio Republicans to Stop Pressuring Max MillerMax L. MillerREP. · R-OH-79 outlets: 4 left-leaning, 2 center, 1 right-leaning, 2 unrated.
BLIND SPOTAUG 10–119 OUTLETS · 57% LEFT
BLIND SPOTAUG 10–11Lauren Boebert’s Son Arrested on Child Exploitation ChargesLauren BoebertREP. · R-CO-47 outlets: 4 left-leaning, 3 center. No right-leaning outlets.
BLIND SPOTAUG 10–117 OUTLETS · 57% LEFT
BLIND SPOTAUG 13–14Lawler Declines to Return Miller’s $10,000 DonationMichael LawlerREP. · R-NY-17Max L. MillerREP. · R-OH-76 outlets: 4 left-leaning, 1 center, 1 unrated. No right-leaning outlets.
BLIND SPOTAUG 13–146 OUTLETS · 80% LEFT
BLIND SPOTAUG 11–13Ken Paxton Declines Infidelity Question at Campaign Town HallKen PaxtonSENATE CANDIDATE · R-TX5 outlets: 4 left-leaning, 1 center. No right-leaning outlets.
BLIND SPOTAUG 11–135 OUTLETS · 80% LEFT
HOW WE DECIDE →ALSO IN SOURCES →

Who’s in the news

BY OUTLETS
1▲1Max L. MillerREP. · R-OH-766OUTLETSTone of 91 articles: 0 good look · 34 mixed · 9 neutral · 48 bad look.11 STORIESMax Miller Remains in Ohio House Race After Ballot Deadline
2▲10Darline GrahamSENATOR · R-SC58OUTLETSTone of 107 articles: 1 good look · 21 mixed · 84 neutral · 1 bad look.7 STORIESSouth Carolina Senate Primary Sends Graham and Norman to Runoff
3▼2Abdul El-SayedSENATE CANDIDATE · D-MI54OUTLETSTone of 137 articles: 7 good look · 64 mixed · 44 neutral · 22 bad look.28 STORIESAbdul El-Sayed Wins Michigan Democratic Senate Primary
4▲55Margaret FlanaganSENATE CANDIDATE · D-MN45OUTLETSTone of 72 articles: 0 good look · 39 mixed · 32 neutral · 1 bad look.9 STORIESPeggy Flanagan Defeats Angie Craig in Minnesota Senate Primary
5▲96Ralph NormanREP. · R-SC-538OUTLETSTone of 59 articles: 0 good look · 14 mixed · 44 neutral · 1 bad look.7 STORIESSouth Carolina Senate Primary Sends Graham and Norman to Runoff
BILLS AND VOTES IN THIS WEEK’S COVERAGE

On the floor and in the news

BILLS IN THE NEWSOUTLETSPEOPLE
H.R. 1One Big Beautiful Bill ActBECAME LAWOne Big Beautiful Bill ActBECAME LAWJUL 4, 202542 PEOPLE IN COVERAGE2842
S. 1383Veterans Accessibility Advisory Committee Act of 2025PASSED BOTHVeterans Accessibility Advisory Committee Act of 2025PASSED BOTH15 PEOPLE IN COVERAGE1815
H.R. 29Laken Riley ActPASSED HOUSELaken Riley ActPASSED HOUSE6 PEOPLE IN COVERAGE186
H.R. 22SAVE ActPASSED HOUSESAVE ActPASSED HOUSE9 PEOPLE IN COVERAGE89
S. 5Laken Riley ActBECAME LAWLaken Riley ActBECAME LAWJAN 29, 20253 PEOPLE IN COVERAGE73
H.R. 5366Doug LaMalfa Federal Disaster Tax Relief Certainty ActBECAME LAWDoug LaMalfa Federal Disaster Tax Relief Certainty ActBECAME LAWSEP 113 PEOPLE IN COVERAGE43
H.R. 8800National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2027PASSED HOUSENational Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2027PASSED HOUSE5 PEOPLE IN COVERAGE45
VOTES IN THE NEWSOUTLETS
SENATE · ROLL 230 · AUG 8Todd Blanche, Attorney General PN 1078CONFIRMED 50–496
SENATE · ROLL 224 · AUG 7Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026 H.R. 5334PASSED 86–113/5 REQUIRED3
BILLS HUB →VOTES HUB →
NOV 3 · 79 DAYS AWAY

Races in the news

ELECTIONS HUB →ALL RACES →
OHIO · HOUSE 791 ART.
Max L. MillerRINCBrian PoindexterD
66OUTLETS THIS WEEKMax Miller Remains in Ohio House Race After Ballot Deadline
SOUTH CAROLINA · SENATE108 ART.
Darline GrahamRINCAnnie AndrewsD
58OUTLETS THIS WEEKSouth Carolina Senate Primary Sends Graham and Norman to Runoff
MICHIGAN · SENATE139 ART.
Abdul El-SayedDMike RogersR
54OUTLETS THIS WEEKAbdul El-Sayed Wins Michigan Democratic Senate Primary
MINNESOTA · SENATE88 ART.
Margaret FlanaganDMichele TafoyaR
51OUTLETS THIS WEEKPeggy Flanagan Defeats Angie Craig in Minnesota Senate Primary
TEXAS · SENATE61 ART.
Ken PaxtonRJames TalaricoD
34OUTLETS THIS WEEKKen Paxton Intervenes in Dispute Over Surrogate Baby's Care
MAINE · SENATE34 ART.
Susan M. CollinsRINCTroy JacksonD
18OUTLETS THIS WEEK1988 Police Report Describes Incident Involving Troy Jackson
21 TOPICS · STORIES THIS WEEK · CHANGE SINCE LAST WEEK

Browse by topic

Ethics/Corruption46Change since last week: ▼11Deadline to Replace Max Miller on Ohio Ballot PassesHealthcare43Change since last week: ▼12Senators Release Fauci Texts About COVID Vaccination During PregnancyEconomy34Change since last week: ▼20Abdul El-Sayed Wins Michigan Senate Democratic PrimaryImmigration28Change since last week: ▼2Peggy Flanagan Defeats Angie Craig in Minnesota Senate PrimaryVoting Rights26Change since last week: ▼8South Carolina Senate Primary Sends Graham and Norman to RunoffCriminal Justice21Change since last week: ▼10Lauren Boebert’s Son Arrested on Child Exploitation ChargesForeign Policy21Change since last week: ▼19Abdul El-Sayed Wins Michigan Democratic Senate PrimaryTaxes14Change since last week: ▼2Amy Klobuchar Wins Minnesota Democratic Gubernatorial PrimaryEducation11Change since last week: ▼1Murkowski Seeks Release of Delayed Alaska Native Education GrantsEnvironment/Climate9Change since last week: ▲5Justin Pearson Wins Democratic Congressional Primary in MemphisTechnology/Privacy7Change since last week: ▼1Bernie Sanders Urges AI Companies to Pause DevelopmentAbortion/Reproductive Rights5Change since last week: ▼2Ken Paxton Intervenes in Dispute Over Surrogate Baby's CareAgriculture5Change since last week: ▼1McConnell’s Office Reports His Discharge From RehabilitationBudget/Spending5Change since last week: ▼3Laura Gillen Announces Funding for Fire Truck and LibraryDefense/Military5Change since last week: ▼2Ruben Gallego Raises Concerns About Conditions Aboard USS Abraham LincolnHousing5Change since last week: ▼2Luke Bronin Wins Connecticut Democratic Primary Against John LarsonLabor/Unions4Change since last week: ▼3Jasmine Crockett Discusses McConnell and Midterm Elections on TVGun Policy3Change since last week: —Old Videos of Abdul El-Sayed's Fireworks Criticism ResurfaceInfrastructure3Change since last week: ▲2Rep. Gabe Vasquez visits La Mancha Wetlands in addressing New Mexico water issuesSocial Security/Medicare2Change since last week: ▲1Maine gun control group declines to endorse Matt Dunlap in 2nd District raceVeterans Affairs1Change since last week: ▲1Rep. Gabe Vasquez visits La Mancha Wetlands in addressing New Mexico water issues
SOURCES

Know who’s telling you the news

Every outlet covering Congress by lean and credibility, who owns it, who reposts whom and what the other side is reading.

Open the source atlas →
MOST ACTIVE OUTLETS THIS WEEKMOST ACTIVE THIS WEEKLEANCREDARTICLESCRED · ARTICLES
Fox Newsfoxnews.comCENTER-RIGHTCENTER-RIGHTCredibility 71Articles this week 79townhall.comtownhall.comFAR RIGHTFAR RIGHTCredibility 44Articles this week 48Newsweeknewsweek.comCENTERCENTERCredibility 75Articles this week 38redstate.comredstate.comFAR RIGHTFAR RIGHTCredibility 43Articles this week 37New York Postnypost.comCENTER-RIGHTCENTER-RIGHTCredibility 66Articles this week 35The Daily Beastthedailybeast.comCENTER-LEFTCENTER-LEFTCredibility 70Articles this week 29
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