As the 2026 midterms approach, the Midwest’s biggest cities—Chicago, Detroit, Milwaukee, Minneapolis, Cleveland, and St. Louis—will be key battlegrounds shaping control of Congress, state legislatures, and local offices. This panel will explore the most competitive races, key voter issues, and turnout trends. Experts will also discuss how political consultants can craft winning engagement strategies using digital, grassroots, and paid media to mobilize diverse voter blocs and swing constituencies.

Learning objectives:

• Learn how shifting demographics, turnout patterns, and issue-based engagement will be critical in determining election outcomes.
• Learn which hot button issues will be major voter motivators across Midwestern cities
• Understand the mix of digital, grassroots, and paid media strategies required to effectively reach key voter blocs, including young, diverse, and suburban swing voters
• Examine the urban/rural divide and how it affects consulting strategies