Political dirty tricks upend midterm races across the country

The 2026 midterms are becoming a watershed election for primary meddling, mysterious super PACs, alleged straw candidates and all other manner of political shenanigans.

Why it matters: With the number of battleground House districts diminished by redistricting and the fight for the Senate extremely tight, each one of these schemes could have an outsized impact on control of Congress.

Green Party spoilers: Democrats are accusing the Green Party nominee in Pennsylvania's 7th District of trying to aid Rep.

Ryan Mackenzie (R-Pa.) by siphoning progressive votes from Democrat Bob Brooks.

The Pennsylvania Green Party and a group of 7th District voters are both suing to get the third-party candidate, Andrew Tupone, off the ballot.

The lawsuits allege Tupone was a registered Republican until this February and had help from Republicans getting on the ballot, with the Green Party saying he is "not endorsed or nominated by the Green Party." Tupone has insisted his candidacy is genuine, telling a local outlet he is "running for universal healthcare, ending the genocide in Gaza and standing up to the establishment parties." Seeing double: In Alaska's primary Tuesday, there will be two Dan Sullivans on the ballot — Sen.

Dan S.

Sullivan (R-Alaska) and former school teacher Dan J.

Sullivan.

Republicans tried to have Dan J.

Sullivan removed from the ballot and have accused Democrats of being behind the campaign, attempting to confuse voters.

Courts ultimately ruled that Dan J.'s name would remain on the ballot.

Democratic dropouts: Senate Democratic candidates in Nebraska, Idaho, and South Dakota have dropped out at the last minute in an effort to bolster the chances of independent candidates to oust Republicans.

Legal challenges are ongoing, however.