LIVE, Midterms 2026: ask your questions to Arnaud Leparmentier, our correspondent who went on Route 66 to take the "pulse of America"

As the U.S. midterm elections approach, Republicans face challenges despite controlling Congress. Observations reveal a disconnect between rural voters and Washington politics, with many prioritizing local issues over national debates. Democrats are attempting to appeal to rural voters by balancing gun rights with measures against gun violence. Polls indicate a divided public on gun legislation, reflecting broader economic concerns and discontent with Donald Trump. The Michigan Senate race is closely watched, with Abdul El-Sayed leading but facing a tight contest against Mike Rogers. OpenAI is launching a crisis center to monitor electoral interference using AI tools.