Pump Prices, The Iran War and the 2026 Midterms

Larry Schweikart stops by the Energy News Beat Podcast and the Energy Impacts Podcast.

In this wide-ranging political and energy analysis podcast, hosts David Blackmon and Stu Turley sit down with renowned political analyst and historian Larry Schweikart to discuss the critical issues shaping the 2026 midterm elections and beyond. With just 27 days until election day, Schweikart—who famously predicted Donald Trump's exact 312 electoral votes in 2024—breaks down Senate and House race projections, exposes the flaws in mainstream polling, and reveals four major factors that pollsters are missing.

The conversation extends beyond politics to tackle the intersection of energy policy and elections, examining how Democratic governance has driven electricity and fuel costs 38-42% higher in blue states.

The trio also explores emerging challenges including AI regulation, California's governance collapse, and speculation about the 2028 presidential race. Throughout the discussion, they emphasize a central theme: that voter registration data, not polls, tells the real story of where American politics is headed.

1. 2026 Midterm Election Predictions & AnalysisLarry Schweikart provides detailed electoral forecasts, predicting Republicans will hold the Senate with 52-54 seats (potentially up to 56-57) and gain control of the House with around 220 seats. He discusses key races in states like Georgia, Michigan, Minnesota, and Texas, emphasizing that Republicans are in a stronger position than polls suggest.

I found the fact that there are so many illegal voters already removed from the country to be a huge potential win. But only if we show up and swarm the polling booths.

I will be upfront and say we have to overload the polls and vote to keep the House and Senate so that we can vote all RINOs out.

2. Polling Accuracy & BiasThe hosts extensively critique modern polling, arguing that mainstream polls are significantly biased against Republicans and undercount GOP voters by 7-10 points. They discuss four major factors skewing polls: deportations of Democratic voters, voter roll purges, voter registration changes, and the elimination of USAID’s influence on elections.

3. Energy Policy & Gasoline PricesStu Turley highlights the impact of Democratic energy policies on electricity and fuel costs, noting that energy prices are 38-42% higher in blue states versus red states. The discussion covers California’s refinery closures, pipeline issues, and the need for energy independence