Looking ahead to 2026, Democrats are hoping to capitalize on their recent successes at the polls and recover political ground lost in 2024. CBS News' Fin Gómez sat down with Ken Martin, the Democratic National Committee Chairman, to discuss.

Washington

Democratic National Committee Chair Ken Martin expressed optimism about the party's prospects in the 2026 midterm elections, citing recent electoral successes and a renewed focus on economic issues such as affordability and inflation. Martin highlighted the importance of winning back independent, young, and Latino voters, and advocated for a balanced approach to immigration policy, calling for both strong border security and pathways to citizenship.

Despite recent gains in states like New Jersey, Virginia, and New York, Martin acknowledged that the Democratic Party still faces challenges and is not yet fully recovered from losses in 2024. He emphasized the need for continued effort and real solutions to issues affecting American voters, rather than relying solely on opposition to former President Trump.

Why DNC Chair Ken Martin is confident about 2026 midterms

As we head into a major election year, Democrats are hoping to capitalize on the recent successes at the polls and recover political ground lost in 2024. Our political director, Finn Gomez, spoke with the chairman of the Democratic National Committee about the future of the party and how he feels about its chances in the midterms. Could it be a wave election? Sure. But we're not going to rest on that. We're actually going to go and work for that. And if we do our job and we take advantage of the opportunity, we will win. CBS News political director Finn Gomez joins me now. Finn, why is Martin so confident? Well, I mean, first, there's this historical precedent, right? The party in charge of the White House, Lindsay, often does poorly in the midterms because Americans place a lot of blame towards those running the country. There's only been two times since World War Two when the party in power has won seats. Martin also specifically talked about President Trump's struggling approval ratings, especially on affordability and the economy that he said had given Democrats new political life since their big loss last year against Trump and the Republicans. He pointed to recent polls that show Americans are still struggling with inflation and rising prices. And because of that, their midterm strategy will be simple and similar to their successful successful one this year, Lindsay, focus on affordability. But he also warned that despite the Democrats overperformance this year in races like in New Jersey and Virginia and New York and potentially in Miami, where the mayoral race, where we may see a Democrat for the first time win, win that seat for some in 30 years. The party still has rebuilding to do, he said, and there are not out of the political wilderness just yet. Here's what he had to say. Lindsay. I won't feel like we're out of the wilderness until we win in 28. As I've said down here, our motto at the DNC is all gas, no brakes. We're not going to rest until November of twenty twenty eight. We got a lot of work to do between now and then. What's his plan? His plan is a simple one, he says, he like the he mentioned the economy again, there'll be a big focus for candidates trying to win back independent voters, young voters and Latino voters. If you remember, those are three of the main voting groups that they lost ground to Trump in twenty twenty four. Also spoke specifically about immigration, as you know, a major issue that helped propel President Trump to victory last year. Martin seemed to advocate for a middle of the road approach, a centrist approach to the polar polarizing issue. Here's what he had to say. What we're seeing right now out of this administration is just chaos and dysfunction. It's not solving the immigration problem we have in this country. It's making it a lot worse. And the reality is, is we need a thoughtful conversation between both parties on actually how we solve this, both in the short term and in the long term. And we have to acknowledge as Democrats that we need, you know, of course, you know, strong border security while at the same time having an immigration policy that allows people to create pathways to citizenship in this country. Martin also said that Democrats, in order to win in next year's midterms, can only rely on anti-Trump message of resistance like they did successfully in the twenty eighteen midterms, but have to offer a real solution on kitchen table issues that matter most to American voters. Lindsey, thank you. Thanks so much.

In Australia, millions of kids' social media profiles are going dark, as the country's new social media ban takes effect for anyone under 16. Jo Ling Kent reports.

Canberra

Australia's social media ban takes effect for kids under 16

President Trump, in recent months, has dismissed concerns about affordability, but this evening, in the battleground state of Pennsylvania, he is focusing on the crisis and touting his administration's efforts to lower the cost of living. Nancy Cordes has more.

Pennsylvania

Trump tries to flip the script on affordability

Dozens of protesters blocked a highway near Tel Aviv to demonstrate against moves by the Israeli government to force some ultra-Orthodox Jews into mandatory military service, something they are currently exempt from so they can study the Torah full time.

Tel Aviv-Yafo

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Trump says Maduro’s “days are numbered”

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Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy met Pope Leo XIV and Italian Premier Giorgia Meloni in Rome on Tuesday (December 9), meanwhile voicing his refusal to surrender territory to Moscow despite pressure from Washington for territorial concessions.

Rome

Ukraine Invasion

Zelenskyy seeks backing from Pope Leo XIV, Italian PM Meloni

A federal judge said Tuesday (December 9) that the Department of Justice can unseal the Ghislaine Maxwell sex trafficking case records. CBS News' Scott MacFarlane has more details.

Judge says DOJ can unseal Ghislaine Maxwell trafficking case records

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Manhattan

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Brussels

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London

Ukraine to share revised peace plan with U.S., Zelenskiy says

The International Criminal Court Tuesday handed down a sentence of 20 years to a Sudanese militia leader for war crimes and crimes against humanity committed during the country's civil war two decades ago.

ICC sentences Sudan militia chief for crimes against humanity

U.S. President Donald Trump on Monday (December 8) unveiled a $12 billion aid package for American farmers, the latest government effort to shore up a key political constituency hurt by the financial fallout from his trade policies.

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Surin

Thailand-Cambodia ceasefire could be unravelling

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Hollywood

Paramount launches hostile takeover bid for Warner Bros.

President Trump announced Monday he will allow Nvidia to sell its advanced H200 computer chips to "approved customers" in China, but Mr. Trump said the deal does not include Nvidia's more advanced Blackwell system or its soon-to-be-released Rubin system.

Trump says he's letting Nvidia sell some AI chips to China

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Downing Street

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A powerful 7.5-magnitude earthquake shook northeastern Japan late on Monday (December 8), prompting orders for about 90,000 residents to evacuate and tsunami warnings that hours later were downgraded to advisories.

Aomori

7.5-magnitude earthquake strikes Japan's northeast

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Bangkok

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Johannesburg

Middle East Conflict

South Africa withdraws 90-days visa exemption for Palestinians

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Okinawa

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Porto-Novo

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Hong Kong Island

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Kyiv

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Moscow

Russia targets Ukraine's energy infrastructure

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Ponce

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Residents in the Indonesian region of Aceh Tamiang have been struggling to get aid while mourning the loss of their loved ones, as the death toll from floods and landslides that hit Sumatra island this month rose to more than 900 people.

Breakdown