What would ranked-choice voting actually change about the 2026 midterms?

Ranked-choice voting is spreading — Alaska uses it for federal elections, Maine uses it, several more states are debating it. Advocates say it changes the nature of campaigning: candidates need to appeal beyond their base because a rival might be your second choice. Critics say it confuses voters and produces strange outcomes. The 2026 midterm elections are coming. If RCV were in place in more competitive districts, how would it change candidate behavior? Would we see more moderate candidates? Would negative advertising backfire because it alienates second-choice voters? Would the strategic "bullet voting" problem undermine the intent? Let's think practically: what would actually be different on the campaign trail in an RCV state? Would candidates spend time trying to get ranked second by rival camps? Would incumbency advantage change? Would third parties have a real shot? If you're evaluating RCV as a voter in a state considering it — what question would you most want answered before you cast your vote?