2026 Midterm Debate Book

National Security Action is the nation's leading organization working at the intersection of politics and national security. Since our founding in 2018, we have worked to bridge the gap between policy and politics by providing original public opinion research, strategic messaging guidance, and policy expertise to elected officials, candidates, advocacy organizations, and emerging leaders. 

As part of that effort, National Security Action regularly develops messaging resources to help candidates and advocates communicate effectively about foreign policy and national security issues. This debate book is informed by National Security Action’s 2026 polling in battleground states and is intended to serve as a practical reference for debates, interviews, town halls, and other public forums during the 2026 midterm elections.

The messaging guidance that follows is not intended to provide scripted answers or exhaustive policy analysis, nor prescribe specific policy positions. Rather, it is designed to summarize the political landscape surrounding each issue, highlight relevant public opinion trends, and offer general, topline messaging guidance that candidates can consider and adapt to reflect their own priorities, experiences, and policy views. 

National Security Action encourages candidates to take clear positions on issues of importance to their community and build on the sample messaging building blocks provided in this document to plainly articulate where they stand. 

If you would like additional guidance on the topics in this guide or any other foreign policy topic, please do not hesitate to reach out to us at outreach@nationalsecurityaction.org.

Published: September 2026