Republicans approached Christmas with a series of developments that strengthened their electoral base, legal strategy and governing momentum.
From winning a competitive House seat to winning a major confirmation, the party ended the year with tangible victories rather than talking points. Taken together, these moments provided new evidence of strength for the Republican Party heading into 2026.
1. GOP holds Tennessee seat in key special election
NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE – DECEMBER 2: House of Representatives-elect Republican Matt Van Epps gives his victory speech at the Millennium Maxwell House Nashville on December 2, 2025 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Brett Carlsen/Getty Images)
Republicans successfully protected an important House seat in Tennessee's 7th Congressional District, keeping it firmly in GOP hands after a closely watched special election. Tennessee Republican Rep. Matt Van Epps defeated Democrat Aftin Behn with 52.4% of the vote as election results were close to being finalized.
The race followed the July resignation former Tennessee Republican Rep. Mark Green and attracted big spending from both parties despite the district's Republican history. Van Epps' victory convinced GOP strategists that even high-profile vacancies in competitive districts could remain red. (RELATED: Democratic Loser Aftin Behn Says She Used the Concession Call to Lecture GOP Winner Van Epps on Obamacare)
2. Republicans score victories in election integrity court.
PHOENIX, ARIZONA – NOVEMBER 5: Arizona Secretary of State Adrian Fontes speaks to the media at the Burton Barr Central Library on November 5, 2024 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
While attention has been focused on President Donald Trump's rapidly changing agenda, the Republican National Committee has quietly secured numerous victories in court on election law. The RNC won key legal battles in Arizona, Georgia and Washington over election procedures and safeguards. (CONNECTED: RNC Sues Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson Over Voter Registration Lists)
“These cases show that in many cases cases are started and resolved in an election year, but in many cases they are not and the RNC does not move on from them,” the RNC official who called said. “We are here to see these things through.”
One ruling from the Arizona Court of Appeals concluded that Secretary of State Adrian Fontes did not follow proper guidelines in finalizing the state's Election Procedures Manual. Party lawyers argued that the leadership weakened protections against voting by non-citizens and limited challenges to voting results. The court's decision confirmed these fears.
Republicans scored additional legal victories in Georgia And Washington after courts rejected efforts to relax absentee voting rules and upheld signature verification requirements. The rulings strengthened GOP-backed election laws and capped a string of victories that RNC leaders say bolster voter confidence ahead of the 2026 cycle.
3. GOP polling signals midterm strength
WASHINGTON, DC – DECEMBER 2: The moon is seen behind the US Capitol before the Capitol Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony on December 2, 2025 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Andrew Harnick/Getty Images)
National survey proposed Republicans will enter the 2026 midterm elections in a competitive position. Reuters/Ipsos survey found that 46% of voters age 50 and older plan to support Republican congressional candidates, compared with 38% who support Democrats. (RELATED: Trump tells Pennsylvania crowd some parts of life are becoming affordable again, and says he has proof)
Midterm elections tend to have more older voters. Even Democratic strategists acknowledged that the numbers show their party faces internal challenges as Republicans consolidate support among mainstream voters.
4. The Senate confirmed Trump's NASA picks in a bipartisan vote.
WASHINGTON, DC – APRIL 9: Jared Isaacman, U.S. President Donald Trump's nominee for Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), testifies during his confirmation hearing before the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation at the Russell Senate Office Building on Capitol Hill on April 9, 2025 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images)
Senate delivered a year-end victory that confirmed billionaire entrepreneur Jared Isaacman as NASA administrator by a 67-30 vote. The confirmation capped a rocky nomination process after Trump briefly recalled Isaacman earlier in the year.
Isaacman, a close ally of Elon Musk, eventually cleared the room before the calendar deadline. Without Senate action, Trump would have to reopen the nomination process, making the vote a timely institutional victory. (RELATED: 5 Months Later Elon Wins War Over NASA)
“You are as committed to American excellence in the final frontier as is this committee and the entire Senate,” Texas Republican Sen. Ted Cruz, the top Republican on the Commerce panel, told Isaacman. “I hope that you will be confirmed in this position before the end of this year.”
5. The GOP remains united on its election strategy.
A poll worker walks past voting booths as New Yorkers participate in early voting at a polling station in Brooklyn on October 29, 2024 in New York City. (Photo by Spencer Platt/Getty Images)
Republican leaders ended the year confirmation unity on voter participation and election security. The RNC told the Daily Caller it has no plans to cut ties with Trump on mail-in voting, despite reports suggesting a strategic shift. (RELATED: EXCLUSIVE: RNC responds to 28 bomb threats and nearly 500 reports of suspicious election activity)
Party officials said their focus remains on securing the ballot while increasing turnout, arguing that their legal work has boosted voter confidence. GOP leadership has framed the approach as a continuation of existing strategy rather than a retreat from Trump's long-standing skepticism of mail-in voting.
“The RNC's mission is to protect votes and achieve voting success by building voter confidence. Our election integrity work has increased Republican participation by addressing security concerns, and this cycle we are once again ensuring every ballot is secure and properly counted,” GOP spokeswoman Kirsten Pels told callers.
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