The Elections That Could Shake Up Real Estate

With the 2026 midterm elections approaching, real estate has a lot on the line. But which races will actually make a difference for developers, landlords and investors? The Real Deal's national managing editor Jerry Sullivan joins Hannah Kramer and Lilah Burke to break down the elections worth watching, from the mayoral showdown between Karen Bass and Nithya Raman in Los Angeles to key races in Texas and a consequential property tax proposal in Florida. They discuss the growing political backlash against data centers, the evolution of the YIMBY movement and why the real estate industry has struggled to flex its political muscle. Plus, a bizarre alleged brawl at Manhattan's ultra-exclusive Aman Club leaves two real estate players banned, South Florida developer Alirio Torrealba faces lawsuits from lenders seeking roughly $81 million, and New York's iconic Plaza Hotel prepares to close for four years.