Axios

Former North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper, a Democrat, and Michael Whatley, former chair of the Republican National Committee, handily won their primaries Tuesday, setting the stage for an intense and expensive showdown to replace retiring U.S. Sen. Thom Tillis, a Republican.

Why it matters: Cooper, whose folksy eastern North Carolina charm has resonated even with Trump voters, is viewed as Democrats' best hope to flip an open, GOP-held seat.

• Whatley, whom President Trump endorsed, easily fended off Don Brown, a former Navy JAG officer whom embattled former Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson endorsed.

U.S. Rep. Christian Menefee is leading longtime Rep. Al Green in Tuesday's Democratic primary for Houston's 18th Congressional District, per early voting tallies.

The big picture: A Menefee victory would be a stunning fall for Green, who was first elected to represent Houston's 9th Congressional District in 2004. Green switched to the 18th District this year after the state Legislature redrew his district to favor Republicans.

Senate Democrats are plotting how to bring a formal Authorization for Use of Military Force measure on Iran to the floor, with some eyeing an expected supplemental funding request as leverage to force a vote.

Why it matters: Democrats aren't overly optimistic about succeeding with Wednesday's vote on the War Powers Resolution, led by Sen. Tim Kaine (D-Va.). It is scheduled for 4pm.

The vast majority of Republican midterm advertisements for House and Senate candidates are about President Trump, according to Axios analysis of AdImpact data on ad airings between Jan. 1, 2025, to Feb. 18, 2026.

Why it matters: As primary season gets underway, candidates are focused on distinguishing themselves from rivals within their parties.

A lawyer representing Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick (D-Fla.) has withdrawn from her case just days before a scheduled public House Ethics Committee hearing, the panel announced Tuesday.

Why it matters: The development could signal internal trouble for Cherfilus-McCormick, who is being federally prosecuted on charges that she funneled $5 million in taxpayer funds to her congressional campaign.

The Justice Department on Tuesday withdrew its request to voluntarily dismiss its lawsuit appeals against Big Law firms representing or employing some of President Trump's critics.

The big picture: Changing a course set less than 24 hours earlier, the department asked the court Tuesday to disregard its Monday's order, saying it still wants to pursue appeals against the firms that won rulings against Trump's executive orders.

A group of centrist House Democrats on Tuesday unveiled a war powers resolution that would give the Trump administration more leeway on Iran than the measure their leadership is pushing.

Why it matters: The effort reflects the extreme reluctance some hawkish Democrats have towards voting for the resolution introduced by anti-interventionist Reps. Ro Khanna (D-Calif.) and Thomas Massie (R-Ky.).

Republicans put Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem under fire Tuesday over actions her agency has taken amid President Trump's immigration crackdown.

Why it matters: It was a public rebuke of the government's face for immigration policies, and at times became an airing of grievances about how Noem manages DHS, forcing her to justify some decisions.

President Trump said the U.S. will "immediately" offer "political risk insurance and guarantees" for energy tankers and other ships in the Gulf region, and that the Navy will escort tankers through the Strait of Hormuz if needed.

Why it matters: The White House is trying to ease oil price spikes that are starting to boost U.S. gasoline prices. Oil prices retreated Tuesday as word of the plans began to emerge.

The war in Iran has rapidly expanded across the Middle East, pulling in U.S. allies, adversaries and bystanders alike.

The big picture: Since the U.S. strikes began on Saturday, Iran has retaliated against Israel and multiple Gulf states, plunging the region further into chaos.