Loyola Chicago Students Track 2026 Midterm Races
Professor Eric Hansen leads students through a hands-on examination of critical federal and state political campaigns.
Updated on Oct. 28, 2026 in Elections
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Students at Loyola University Chicago are analyzing active political races during the 2026 midterm elections as part of a specialized coursework requirement. The class provides an institutional framework for understanding election drivers while utilizing real-time betting market data.
Why it matters
The course is offered only during fall semesters featuring federal elections, providing students an immersive look at campaign mechanics. By tracking live races, students gain practical experience in evaluating polling data and electoral probabilities.
The class currently hosts 35 students who use the betting app Kalshi to project election results. Professor Hansen estimated a 93% likelihood for Democratic House control and a 77% likelihood for Senate control.
The players
Eric Hansen
He is a professor at Loyola University Chicago who teaches the campaigns and elections course.
Connor Farnsworth
He is a student in the Loyola course currently tracking the Wisconsin governor's race.
Bella Correlli
She is a student in the Loyola course assigned to track the Michigan Senate race.
Katie Hernandez
She is a student in the class who also serves as a voter protection intern for the Democratic Party of Illinois.
The details
Professor Eric Hansen assigns students specific political races, such as the Michigan Senate contest between Abdul Al-Sayed and Haley Stevens, to monitor throughout the term. Using academic literature alongside the book Game Change, students analyze current political dynamics at play in various states.
Timeline
Loyola is currently offering the campaigns and elections course during the Fall 2026 semester.
Professor Hansen conducted his graduate training from 2012 to 2017.
The course is scheduled to be offered again in the Fall 2028 semester.
Political Context
This academic exercise centers on the 2026 midterm elections, a period often characterized by intense partisan shifts and legislative uncertainty. Critics might argue that relying on betting apps for predictive modeling oversimplifies the complex structural variables that determine voter behavior.
The tracking of these races helps provide a clearer understanding of how electoral shifts in states like Wisconsin, Michigan, and Texas may influence national policy. Residents can use these real-time analyses to gauge how local results align with or diverge from broader national legislative trends.
The takeaway
Understanding the mechanics of campaigns allows students to look past headlines and analyze the institutional drivers of political change. Developing this literacy is essential for any voter looking to navigate the complex environment of federal elections.
What happens next
The university is scheduled to offer this specialized campaigns and elections course again during the Fall 2028 semester.
Further reading
For more information on local and federal voting, visit the Elections section of our site.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Loyola Phoenix.
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