A 2026 Blue Tsunami – What Next?

Written by Alyssa Sonnenburg

In this special 500th episode of Illinois Family Spotlight, IFI’s Dave Smith sits down with our favorite retired media director, Monte Larrick, to discuss the devastating results of the 2026 midterm election.

In this episode, Monte shares his insights into what the nation as a whole can expect on the federal level and what Illinois should expect from the super-super majority that the Democrats have in Illinois.

“Gas prices, energy prices, what it costs to heat and cool your home – that’s what voters are looking at…”

This is an important episode that you do not want to miss.

Background 

So, what drove Democratic gains across the nation and here in Illinois? What do those gains mean for policy, and how can Christians respond through their churches and communities? Smith and Larrick discuss:

• What drove the results? Did the pressure of high grocery, gas, and utility bills contribute to the pendulem swing? How did tariffs and local opposition to data centers influence voters? Did some Christians sit out elections or overlook moral issues such as the sanctity of life?

• What could come next? The two discuss how Governor JB Pritzker’s possible presidential ambitions might shape his decisions in Illinois. They flag abortion pill reversal, homeschool regulations, drug policy, and local zoning as issues to watch in Springfield. In Washington D.C., they anticipate fights over immigration, taxpayer funding of abortion, health care, and congressional investigations of the Trump administration.

• What can churches can? They urge pastors to preach biblical teaching on life and marriage, encourage congregants to vote, and help prepare Christians to serve in public office. They also call for churches to consider starting Christian schools and for schools and homeschool families to teach civics and prepare young people for public service.

• Where listeners can start. Smith and Larrick point to school boards, library boards, city councils, and other local offices as places to serve. They also urge listeners to contact federal lawmakers before the new Congress takes office about border security, election integrity, and judicial confirmations.

The episode closes with a call to pray for public officials and pastors by taking the Great Commission seriously and by putting faith into practice. Smith also previews IFI’s pastor gatherings on Chicago’s South and North Sides, where pastors will discuss ways to strengthen their congregations’ biblical worldview.

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