How the Founding Fathers Would Approach the Midterms — Washington, Jefferson, Madison, Hamilton, Adams, and Franklin confront modern American politics, where familiar constitutional questions meet unfamiliar political parties. AI-generated illustration. © Keith A. Istre 2026.

How the Founding Fathers Would Approach the Midterms

The men who created America’s constitutional system might recognize our political disagreements. But would they recognize how we have organized them?

By S. C. Harist | November 2026 | Free nonmember access: https://medium.com/@scharist/how-the-founding-fathers-would-approach-the-midterms-e324b0224257?sk=909c93df25b865542da9059bccf78004

If George Washington, James Madison, Thomas Jefferson, Alexander Hamilton, Benjamin Franklin, and John Adams were alive today, how would they approach the 2026 midterm elections? Would they identify as Republicans, Democrats, independents, or members of political movements that do not fit neatly into either major party? The temptation is to assign each Founder a modern political identity based on selected historical positions. Hamilton’s support for national economic development might suggest economic nationalism. Jefferson’s skepticism toward concentrated governmental authority might resemble aspects of libertarianism. Washington’s warnings about political parties might suggest political independence, while Madison’s emphasis on constitutional checks could place him among those concerned about expansive presidential authority.