Mike Murphy wears many hats and possesses many skills, but the one that may fit best is strategist. He has advised some famous and admired Republicans, including John McCain, Mitt Romney, Jeb Bush, Tommy Thompson, Chris Whitman, and Arnold Schwarzenegger. Born in Detroit, he attended the Georgetown University School of Foreign Service. He now makes his home in Los Angeles and is co-director of the Center for the Political Future at the University of Southern California. Murphy is also co-host of the popular podcast “Hacks on Tap” with David Axelrod and John Heilemann.

With primaries choosing candidates for the midterm elections, it is an appropriate moment to ask: What do the politics of 2026 look like as the midterms approach?

We will consider many questions the political world is asking about Donald Trump, look at the primaries so far, and examine the fight between center and left as socialists do well in Democratic contests.