On MSNBC’s “Morning Joe” Monday, former network host Chris Matthews confidently predicted a big midterm victory for Democrats, asserting it is a “sure thing” they will pick up 30 seats in the U.S. House of Representatives.
Matthews said his projection is based on recent election results where Democrats have reportedly outpaced expectations by wide margins in several states, including Tennessee and Florida’s Miami area. He pointed to a series of unexpectedly strong performances as evidence that Democratic momentum is building ahead of the 2026 midterms.
Drawing from his analysis of ongoing races, Matthews also discussed key Senate contests, suggesting that Democrats could be competitive in traditionally tough states. He mentioned names like North Carolina’s Roy Cooper and Ohio’s Sherrod Brown as potential winners in their respective races, even where challenges might be stiff.
Turning to Maine, Matthews said he believes Republican Senator Susan Collins may be at risk, comparing her situation to that of Pennsylvania’s Bob Casey, who lost a competitive race. “You can only get away with being the wrong person in the right and the wrong state for so long,” Matthews said, hinting that Collins could face a tough path to reelection.
Matthews also touched on the Alaska race, calling it potentially “real” and part of what could make the Senate competitive. He said if Democrats can secure enough pickups, control of the Senate could hinge on just a few key contests, drawing intense media attention to both chambers as the election season unfolds.
His forecast stirred conversation on the show and among political observers, with Matthews underscoring his belief that Democrats are well positioned to capitalize on current trends. He reiterated that picking up 30 House seats appears to him to be a solid expectation based on recent electoral performance.
Whether Matthews’ prediction unfolds as he described will depend on campaign developments, candidate quality, and voter sentiment as the nation moves closer to Election Day. For now, his comments reflect one perspective among many in ongoing speculation about the 2026 midterm landscape.
