Senate Elections

The upcoming 2026 midterm elections are seen as a crucial look at how the American people view the first half of Trump’s second term and who will control the Senate and House for the next two years. Currently, the Republicans have a 53-47 majority in the Senate. This means that the Democrats will need to pick up four seats to regain the majority, as in a 50-50 senate, the Vice President’s (in this case JD Vance) party has the majority. In this article, we will be looking at the 8 most important senate races of 2026. 

1. North Carolina

Traditionally seen as a swing state, Democrats are viewed to have an edge in this race as former Democratic Governor, who was very popular in his tenure, Roy Cooper is facing off against former Republican National Convention (RNC) Chairman Michael Whatley. Incumbent Republican Thom Tillis decided to not seek re-election amid a worsening relationship with President Donald Trump. Current polling aggregates show Cooper leading Whatley by between just under seven to ten and a half percentage points. 

2. Maine

Maine has been traditionally viewed as a Democratic-leaning state, but unique characteristics of this race make it incredibly competitive. Moderate Republican Senator Susan Collins pulled off a major upset in 2020, winning re-election, but is likely to face an even tougher battle this time around against Graham Platner, a veteran of the Marines and  oyster farmer. Platner has faced controversies over past statements and tattoos, but maintains a steady lead over Collins. Current polling averages show Platner leading from roughly six to seven and a half percentage points. 

3. Alaska 

Traditionally seen as a Republican-leaning state, the state elected Mary Peltola, a Native Alaskan, to serve as the state’s sole representative in the House of Representatives in 2022, and she is running for Senate against incumbent Republican Dan Sullivan. Current polling averages show Peltola with a lead of around three and a half percentage points, but this race is seen as a “toss up” currently.

4. Texas

  Similarly to Alaska, Texas is gradually becoming increasingly more favorable for Democrats despite long standing Republican DNA. Incumbent Republican Senator John Cornyn is facing a primary runoff against  far-right Attorney General Ken Paxton in June. Meanwhile, Democrats nominated James Tallarico, a State Representative. Paxton is leading in the polls for the runoff, and polls suggest a statistical tie in a General Election matchup between Paxton and Tallarico. 

5. Ohio

Unlike Texas, Ohio is becoming increasingly favourable for Republicans, as Donald Trump defeated Kamala Harris in the state by a double digit margin, in a state Barack Obama carried twice in 2008 and 2012. However, Democrats have recruited Sherrod Brown, a former Senator to run against Jon Husted, who was appointed after JD Vance resigned to take the role of Vice President. Husted currently leads Brown by two to five percentage points.

6. Iowa 

Iowa has also trended increasingly towards the Republican Party as Donald Trump defeated Kamala Harris by twelve percentage points, which was again an instrumental aspect of how Barack Obama was elected, most notably in his 2012 re-election campaign. Incumbent Senator Joni Ernst is retiring. Trump-endorsed Ashley Hinson, a current U.S. Representative, is on course to win the Republican Nomination while Josh Turek, a state representative, was leading in the latest poll for the Democratic Nomination by twenty percentage points. Current polls suggest a close race, with Hinson having a lead of approximately one to two percentage points.

7. Georgia

Seen as a tossup state, Democratic Senator Jon Ossoff was elected in a 2021 runoff and has already received 77.9 million dollars for his re-election campaign, according to the FEC (Federal Election Committee). The Republican Primary is seen as very close, with Ossoff leading the Generic Republican by two to three percentage points.

8. Nebraska

U.S. Navy Veteran Dan Osborn is running for the Senate again after a narrow six point loss two years ago for Nebraska’s other Senate seat. He will face off against Incumbent Republican Senator Pete Ricketts, and Osborn has pledged to caucus with neither the Republican or Democratic Parties. Polls currently suggest an incredibly tight race, with Ricketts or Osborn leading by one percentage point each in all of the polls conducted thus far.