What Candidates Run for During Midterm Elections?

The Full Spectrum of Offices on the Midterm Ballot

Midterm elections, which take place roughly two years into a president's four-year term, represent a pivotal moment in the American political calendar. While they lack the singular focus of a presidential election, midterms offer voters an opportunity to shape the direction of the federal government, every statehouse in the nation, and countless local jurisdictions. Understanding exactly which offices appear on the ballot is essential for any engaged citizen, as the cumulative effect of these races determines the balance of power at every level of governance.

Voters often assume midterms are primarily about Congress, but the reality is far more complex. Depending on a voter's state and locality, the ballot can include federal lawmakers, statewide executives, state legislators, judges, county commissioners, city council members, school board trustees, and a variety of ballot measures. This article provides a comprehensive breakdown of every major category of office that candidates run for during midterm elections, explaining the significance of each and how they interact with one another.

Federal Offices at Stake in Midterms

The most visible and consequential races in any midterm election cycle are those for the United States Congress. Control of the legislative branch can shift dramatically during these elections, with major implications for the president's agenda, federal spending, and judicial confirmations.

United States House of Representatives

All 435 seats in the House of Representatives are up for election every two years. This means every midterm cycle presents a complete renewal of the lower chamber. Candidates for the House must be at least 25 years old, have been a U.S. citizen for at least seven years, and reside in the state they represent. House seats are apportioned among the states based on population, with each state guaranteed at least one representative.

Because the entire chamber is contested, the House is often the primary battleground for determining the legislative majority. A party that wins control of the House gains the power to set the legislative agenda, initiate impeachment proceedings, and conduct oversight of the executive branch. The Speaker of the House, elected by the majority party, becomes one of the most powerful figures in Washington. For candidates, a House race is both a national campaign and a highly localized one, requiring them to address district-specific concerns while also aligning with broader party messaging. The official House website provides detailed information on current representatives and the legislative process.

United States Senate

Senate races during midterms are staggered, with approximately one-third of the 100 seats contested in any given election cycle. Senators serve six-year terms, so the specific seats up for election depend on the cycle. Candidates for the Senate must meet stricter qualifications than House candidates: they must be at least 30 years old, a U.S. citizen for at least nine years, and a resident of the state they seek to represent.

The Senate's smaller size and longer terms make it a more deliberative body, and each individual Senate race can have outsized national importance. A flip of just a few seats can change the majority, which controls committee chairmanships, the confirmation of federal judges and Supreme Court justices, and the fate of major legislation. Senate races tend to attract more national attention and funding than House races, particularly in swing states. Candidates often focus on issues such as judicial philosophy, national security, immigration, and economic policy. According to Senate.gov, the Senate also holds unique powers including treaty ratification and the confirmation of cabinet secretaries, making each midterm Senate class critically important.

Special Elections and Vacancies

Beyond the regularly scheduled contests, special elections frequently occur during midterm cycles to fill vacancies caused by resignations, deaths, or appointments to other offices. These races can add extra seats to the ballot in certain states and districts, occasionally shifting the balance of power outside the normal cycle. Special elections are often held on the same day as the general midterm election but can also occur at other times depending on state law. For readers interested in tracking these unusual races, Ballotpedia offers an excellent resource for monitoring special election dates and candidates.

State-Level Executive and Legislative Offices

While federal races dominate national media coverage, state-level elections during midterms directly affect the lives of residents in profound ways. State governments control education funding, transportation infrastructure, healthcare policy, criminal justice systems, and election administration itself. The offices listed below are among the most important state-level races on the midterm ballot.

Governor

Thirty-six states elect governors during midterm election years, although the exact number can vary slightly depending on gubernatorial term lengths and special elections. Governors serve as the chief executive of their state, wielding veto power over legislation, command over the state National Guard, and significant authority over the state budget. In many states, the governor also appoints judges, agency heads, and members of regulatory boards.

Gubernatorial races often serve as a bellwether for national political trends, and they attract substantial campaign spending and media attention. A governor's party affiliation can influence policy on issues ranging from abortion access to gun control to pandemic response. For voters in states without competitive federal races, the governor's race may be the highest-profile contest on the ballot. As of the 2024 midterm cycle, 36 states hold gubernatorial elections in the same year as the midterm, with another 11 states holding them in presidential years. The remaining three states—Kentucky, Louisiana, and Mississippi—hold their gubernatorial elections in odd-numbered years, meaning they sometimes coincide with midterms and sometimes not.

State Legislatures

In most states, voters elect members of both chambers of the state legislature during midterm years. Approximately 5,800 state legislative seats are up for election nationwide in a typical midterm cycle. These offices include state senators and state representatives (sometimes called assembly members or delegates, depending on the state). Control of state legislatures determines the fate of redistricting maps, voting laws, education policy, and countless other local matters.

Unlike the U.S. Congress, where all House seats are up every two years, state legislative terms vary. Some states use two-year terms for both chambers, while others use four-year terms for the upper chamber. In a handful of states, such as Nebraska, the legislature is unicameral and nonpartisan in name, though partisan dynamics remain highly relevant. The National Conference of State Legislatures provides comprehensive data on state legislative composition and election cycles.

Candidates for state legislative seats often have a more direct connection to their constituents than federal candidates, campaigning door-to-door and addressing hyperlocal issues such as zoning laws, school funding formulas, and property tax rates. These races are critical for building the "bench" of future candidates for higher office.

Other Statewide Executive Offices

In addition to the governor, many states elect other executive officials during midterm years. These offices vary by state but commonly include:

Lieutenant Governor – Often the second-highest executive office, with duties ranging from presiding over the state senate to serving as acting governor when the governor is absent or incapacitated.
Attorney General – The state's chief legal officer, responsible for representing the state in litigation, enforcing consumer protection laws, and issuing legal opinions. This office has gained national prominence in recent years due to multi-state lawsuits against federal policies and pharmaceutical companies.
Secretary of State – Typically the chief election officer of the state, overseeing voter registration, ballot access, and certification of election results. This office also handles business registrations and other administrative functions.
State Treasurer – Manages the state's finances, investments, and debt. In some states, the treasurer also oversees college savings plans and unclaimed property programs.
State Auditor or Comptroller – Responsible for auditing state agencies and ensuring financial accountability.
Commissioner of Agriculture, Education, Insurance, or Public Lands – These specialized offices exist in some states and have significant regulatory authority over their respective domains.

The specific offices on the ballot vary widely. For instance, Texas elects a Railroad Commissioner (which actually regulates the oil and gas industry), while North Carolina elects a Commissioner of Labor. Voters should always check their state's official election website to confirm which executive offices appear on their ballot.

Local Offices and Municipal Elections

Below the state level, midterm ballots also include a wide array of local offices. These positions have the most immediate impact on residents' daily lives, affecting everything from road maintenance to public safety to the quality of local schools. Local races are often nonpartisan in name, though party endorsements and affiliations frequently play a role behind the scenes.

County-Level Offices

Counties are administrative subdivisions of states, and their elected officials handle a range of functions. Common county-level offices include:

County Commissioners or Supervisors – The governing board of the county, responsible for setting the county budget, approving land use plans, and overseeing county departments such as public works, parks, and health services.
County Sheriff – The chief law enforcement officer in most counties, responsible for operating the county jail, serving court papers, and providing police services in unincorporated areas.
County Clerk or Recorder – Manages public records including property deeds, marriage licenses, and election administration in many jurisdictions.
County Assessor – Determines the value of property for tax purposes, a role with direct financial consequences for homeowners and businesses.
District Attorney or State's Attorney – The chief prosecutor for criminal cases within the county. This office has come under increased scrutiny in recent years as debates over criminal justice reform have intensified.
County Judge – In some states, this is an executive role, not a judicial one, combining administrative duties with some judicial functions.
County Coroner or Medical Examiner – Responsible for determining the cause of death in certain circumstances. In many states, this is an elected position.

County-level races tend to receive less media coverage than federal or state races, but they are often the site of intense local competition. Voter turnout in these down-ballot races is typically lower than in top-of-ticket races, meaning that informed voters can have an outsized influence on the outcome.

Municipal and City Offices

Cities, towns, and villages also hold elections during midterm years, though the specific offices vary depending on the form of municipal government. Common municipal offices include:

Mayor – The chief executive of the city, responsible for proposing budgets, appointing department heads, and setting the policy agenda. In some cities, the mayor is a voting member of the city council; in others, the mayor is a separate executive.
City Council or Board of Aldermen – The legislative body of the city, responsible for passing ordinances, approving the budget, and zoning decisions. City council members are typically elected from wards or districts, though some cities use at-large elections.
City Comptroller or Finance Officer – Oversees the city's financial operations, including auditing and debt management.
City Attorney – Provides legal advice to the city government and represents the city in litigation.
Municipal Judge – Presides over cases involving city ordinances, traffic violations, and minor criminal matters.

Many smaller municipalities hold elections on a different cycle from state and federal elections, often in the spring or in odd-numbered years. However, larger cities frequently schedule their elections to coincide with the midterm to increase voter turnout and reduce costs. Voters should check their local election authority for specific dates and offices.

School Boards and Special Districts

School board elections are among the most directly impactful local races, as school boards set policies on curriculum, budgeting, teacher hiring, and facility maintenance. In recent years, school board races have become more politicized and have attracted higher levels of campaign spending and public attention. Candidates for school board often run on platforms addressing issues such as parental involvement, critical race theory, sex education, school safety, and special education funding. School board terms vary by state, with many boards holding elections during the midterm cycle.

Beyond school boards, special districts also elect board members or trustees during midterms. These districts include:

Water and sanitation districts
Fire protection districts
Library districts
Park and recreation districts
Community college districts
Transportation and transit authorities
Soil and water conservation districts

Special districts are often overlooked by voters, but they have the authority to levy taxes, issue bonds, and make decisions that directly affect property values and quality of life. Candidates for these offices typically run on platforms focused on service delivery, fiscal responsibility, and long-term planning.

Judicial Elections

In many states, judges are elected rather than appointed, and midterm elections often include a significant number of judicial contests. The level of court varies from state to state, but common elected judicial positions include:

State Supreme Court justices – In 38 states, some or all of the justices on the highest state court are elected, either in partisan or nonpartisan elections, or through retention elections.
Intermediate appellate court judges – These judges hear appeals from trial courts and are elected in many states.
Trial court judges – Often called circuit judges, district judges, or superior court judges, these officials preside over felony criminal cases, civil disputes, and family law matters.
Magistrates and justices of the peace – Handle minor offenses, small claims, and preliminary hearings in some jurisdictions.

Judicial elections are distinct from other races in that candidates are often constrained by ethical rules regarding how they can discuss issues and campaign. Nonetheless, these elections have become increasingly partisan and expensive, particularly for state supreme courts, as the courts have taken on hot-button issues such as redistricting, abortion, and voting rights. Voters who skip judicial races on their ballot are effectively leaving the selection of judges to a small, self-selected minority of the electorate.

Ballot Measures and Direct Democracy

In many states, midterm ballots include not just candidates but also ballot measures that allow voters to directly enact or reject laws and constitutional amendments. These measures come in several forms:

Initiatives – Proposed laws or constitutional amendments placed on the ballot by citizen petition.
Referendums – Laws passed by the state legislature that are referred to voters for approval or rejection.
Legislative referrals – Proposed amendments to the state constitution that must be approved by voters before taking effect.
Bond measures – Proposals to authorize the state or local government to issue bonds for specific purposes, such as infrastructure projects or school construction.
Tax measures – Proposals to raise, lower, or restructure taxes, often requiring voter approval under state law (e.g., Proposition 13 in California).

Ballot measures can cover virtually any subject, from marijuana legalization and minimum wage increases to voting rights, animal welfare, and housing policy. In recent midterm cycles, measures on abortion access, Medicaid expansion, and criminal justice reform have drawn national attention. According to the Pew Research Center, ballot measures tend to attract higher voter engagement when they address high-salience social issues.

Candidates do not run for office in connection with ballot measures, but the measures themselves can drive voter turnout and shape the political landscape. For example, a controversial ballot measure may bring voters to the polls who then cast votes for candidates aligned with their views on that issue. Political strategists often look at the full ballot when designing turnout operations.

Specialized and Lesser-Known Offices

Beyond the major categories above, midterm ballots can include a variety of specialized offices that vary by state and locality. These offices are often part-time and low-profile, but they can have real authority. Examples include:

Soil and Water Conservation District Supervisors – Elected in many states to oversee soil conservation programs and water quality initiatives.
Constables – In some states, elected constables serve court papers and provide law enforcement services in rural areas.
Board of Equalization Members – In states like California, these officials handle property tax assessment appeals and other tax-related matters.
Precinct Committeemen or Ward Chairs – While these are party positions rather than public offices, they appear on the ballot in some states and are the grassroots building blocks of political parties.
Trustees of Public Libraries – Elected in some jurisdictions to govern public library systems.
Members of Town Meeting – In New England towns that still use the traditional town meeting form of government, voters elect members to deliberate and vote on local ordinances and budgets.

These offices are often filled with minimal competition and low voter awareness, which means that a small number of engaged voters can have an outsized impact on who serves. For citizens interested in public service, these positions can be an accessible entry point into elected office.

Why Every Race Matters

It is easy for voters to focus exclusively on high-profile races such as the Senate or governor, but the cumulative effect of down-ballot races is profound. Local officials make decisions about policing, education, housing, and taxation that affect families every day. State legislators draw the maps that determine the competitiveness of federal elections. County commissioners decide where to build roads and how to fund emergency services. School board members set policies that shape the next generation of citizens.

Furthermore, midterm elections historically produce lower voter turnout than presidential elections. According to data from the U.S. Election Assistance Commission, voter turnout in midterm elections has averaged about 40-50% in recent decades, compared to 60-65% in presidential years. This turnout gap means that the voters who do show up have disproportionate power in determining election outcomes. Down-ballot races are particularly affected by this dynamic, as many voters simply leave those sections of the ballot blank.

For candidates, the array of offices available means that there is a path to public service for people with diverse backgrounds, skills, and ambitions. A teacher can run for school board, a small business owner can run for city council, an attorney can run for judge, and a community organizer can run for state legislature. The midterm election is the most common vehicle for these candidates to enter the political arena.

Conclusion

The question "What candidates run for during midterm elections?" has a far broader answer than many voters realize. The midterm ballot encompasses the full sweep of American governance: from the halls of Congress to the county courthouse, from the governor's mansion to the local school board. Each race, no matter how small, represents a seat at the table where decisions are made about public resources, rights, and responsibilities. Understanding the full scope of offices at stake is the first step toward being an informed and effective participant in the democratic process. As the next midterm cycle approaches, voters who educate themselves about every race on their ballot will be best positioned to shape the future of their communities, their states, and their nation.