With Election Day 2018 just two weeks away, political forecasters are searching for any and every clue as to the ultimate outcome of the congressional election during President Trump’s first midterm in office. With all House seats and approximately one third of Senate seats up for re-election, there is a substantial amount of information to track. This midterm election report analyzes the political climate and state of play in key House and Senate races.

This report reviews the impact that the generic ballot numbers and presidential job approval have on election results, while also taking stock of voter enthusiasm and the political money race. To determine what issues may be driving voter choice, the report looks at lessons learned from the primaries and recent activity in Washington D.C. Finally, it identifies key toss up races in the House and the Senate and the contours of those contests.