An obscure nonprofit credited with helping liberal candidates win low-profile but crucial races for state legislative and school board seats is expanding to three new states, potentially providing a boost for Democrats seeking to capitalize on President Donald Trump's unpopularity in this year's midterm elections.

The fact-finding mission, ordered by Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, is seen as a symbolic move to pressure Ukraine to make the pipeline operational again, with implications for Hungary's upcoming parliamentary election and EU-Ukraine relations.