Five Republican Wins That Made Christmas Better

Republicans headed into Christmas with a string of developments that reinforced their electoral footing, legal strategy, and governing momentum.

From holding a competitive House seat to locking in a major confirmation, the party closed the year with tangible wins rather than talking points. Taken together, these moments offered the GOP fresh proof of durability heading into 2026.

1. GOP Holds Tennessee Seat In Crucial Special Election

NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE – DECEMBER 2: House of Representative-elect Republican Matt Van Epps delivers his victory speech at Millennium Hotel Maxwell House Nashville on December 2, 2025 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Brett Carlsen/Getty Images)

Republicans successfully defended a critical House seat in Tennessee’s 7th Congressional District, keeping it firmly in GOP hands after a closely watched special election. Republican Tennessee Rep. Matt Van Epps defeated Democrat Aftyn Behn with 52.4% of the vote as returns neared completion.

The race followed the July resignation of former Republican Tennessee Rep. Mark Green and attracted heavy spending from both parties despite the district’s Republican history. Van Epps’ victory reassured GOP strategists that even high-profile vacancies in competitive districts can stay red. (RELATED: Democratic Loser Aftyn Behn Says She Used Concession Call To Lecture Republican Winner Van Epps About Obamacare)

2. Republicans Rack Up Election Integrity Court Victories

PHOENIX, ARIZONA – NOVEMBER 05: Arizona Secretary Of State Adrian Fontes speaks with the media at the Burton Barr Central Library on November 05, 2024 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

While attention focused on President Donald Trump’s fast-moving agenda, the Republican National Committee quietly secured multiple election-law wins in court. The RNC prevailed in key legal battles across Arizona, Georgia, and Washington tied to election procedures and safeguards. (RELATED: RNC Sues Michigan Secretary Of State Jocelyn Benson Over Voter Registration Rolls)

“These cases represent that a lot of times, things get started and resolved during an election year, but many times they don’t, and the RNC doesn’t walk away from them,” an RNC official told the Caller. “We are here to see these things through.”

One ruling from Arizona’s Court of Appeals concluded that Secretary of State Adrian Fontes failed to follow proper rulemaking when finalizing the state’s Election Procedures Manual. Party lawyers argued the manual weakened protections against non-citizen voting and restricted ballot challenges. The court’s decision validated those concerns.

Republicans notched additional legal victories in Georgia and Washington after courts rejected efforts to loosen absentee ballot rules and upheld signature verification requirements. The rulings reinforced GOP-backed election laws and capped a series of wins that RNC leaders say strengthen voter confidence while heading into the 2026 cycle.

3. GOP Polling Signals Midterm Staying Power

WASHINGTON, DC – DECEMBER 02: The moon is visible behind the U.S. Capitol prior to the U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree lighting ceremony on December 02, 2025 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Andrew Harnik/Getty Images)

National polling suggested Republicans head into the 2026 midterms in a competitive position. A Reuters/Ipsos survey found that 46% of voters aged 50 and older plan to back Republican congressional candidates, compared with 38% who favor Democrats. (RELATED: Trump Tells Pennsylvania Crowd Some Parts Of Life Becoming Affordable Again And Says He Has Proof)

Older voters tend to turn out in higher numbers during midterm elections. Even Democratic strategists conceded the numbers show their party faces internal challenges as Republicans consolidate support among consistent voters.

4. Senate Confirms Trump’s NASA Pick In Bipartisan Vote

WASHINGTON, DC – APRIL 09: Jared Isaacman, U.S. President Donald Trump’s nominee to be National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Administrator, testifies during a Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee confirmation hearing in the Russell Senate Office Building on Capitol Hill on April 09, 2025 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images)

The Senate delivered a late-year win by confirming billionaire entrepreneur Jared Isaacman as NASA administrator by a 67–30 vote. The confirmation capped a rocky nomination process after Trump briefly withdrew Isaacman earlier in the year.

Isaacman, a close ally of Elon Musk, ultimately cleared the chamber before the calendar expired. Without Senate action, Trump would have needed to restart the nomination process, making the vote a timely institutional victory. (RELATED: 5 Months Later, Elon Wins The War Over NASA)

“You are as committed to American supremacy in the final frontier as is this committee and the entire Senate,” Republican Texas Sen. Ted Cruz, the Commerce panel’s lead Republican, told Isaacman. “My hope is that you will be confirmed and in this role before the end of this year.”

5. GOP Stays Aligned On Election Participation Strategy

A poll worker walks by voting booths as New Yorkers participate in early voting at a polling site in Brooklyn on October 29, 2024 in New York City. (Photo by Spencer Platt/Getty Images)

Republican leaders closed the year by reaffirming unity on voter participation and election security. The RNC told the Daily Caller it has no plans to break with Trump on mail-in voting despite reports suggesting a strategic shift. (RELATED: EXCLUSIVE: RNC Responds To 28 Bomb Threats, Nearly 500 Tips Of Suspicious Election Activity)

Party officials said their focus remains on securing ballots while boosting turnout, arguing their legal work has improved voter confidence. GOP leadership framed the approach as a continuation of existing strategy rather than a retreat from Trump’s longstanding skepticism of mail-in voting.

“The RNC’s mission is to protect the vote and turn out the vote by strengthening voter confidence. Our election integrity work has boosted Republican participation by addressing concerns about security, and this cycle we’re again ensuring every ballot is secure and properly counted,” GOP Press Secretary Kiersten Pels told the Caller.

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