Republican candidates in competitive congressional races are increasingly highlighting federal funding they secured for local projects, commonly known as earmarks, as the 2026 midterm elections approach. A Politico analysis of the 12 closest races for Republican incumbents found that most are emphasizing these funding successes despite the party's previous efforts to ban the practice. Pollster Whit Ayres stated that focusing on local funding allows candidates to create distance from President Trump, whose approval ratings have fallen into the 30s amid concerns over the war with Iran, high fuel prices, and tariffs.
Earmarks, which are funds designated for specific local projects, were banned by Republicans in 2011 following bribery convictions of two party members. Democrats reinstated them in 2021 with new transparency rules, and Republicans chose to maintain them in 2025. In fiscal year 2026, approximately $16 billion in earmarks were enacted.
Candidates across the country are using specific dollar amounts in their campaign messaging. In New York, Rep. Mike Lawler (R) has cited $120 million for local projects, while Rep. David Valadao (R-CA) is running advertisements regarding $500 million for water projects. Senate Appropriations Chair Susan Collins (R-ME) recently detailed securing 672 projects totaling $1.5 billion for Maine over the last five years. Conversely, Rep. Bill Huizenga (R-MI) and Sen. Dan Sullivan (R-AK) have declined to request earmarks, with Huizenga citing a history of waste and abuse and Sullivan pointing to support for competitive grants.
The use of earmarks represents a departure from the strict fiscal restraint policies that defined the Republican platform for over a decade. The return of these "community project" funds means that incumbency provides a concrete financial advantage that challengers cannot match, potentially influencing the outcome of races that will decide control of the House and Senate. The Cook Political Report currently indicates that Democrats are favored to win the House, while the Senate remains closely contested.
Next, the federal government faces a December 11 deadline to finalize funding for the remainder of the fiscal year. The Trump administration is currently requesting $1.5 trillion for defense, though congressional staff are reportedly drafting a smaller $1.1 trillion plan due to internal Republican disagreements. Meanwhile, government data shows the national debt surpassed 100% of the U.S. gross domestic product at the end of fiscal year 2026, reaching $32.2 trillion, a level not seen since 1946. Election Day is scheduled for Tuesday, November 3, 2026.