Politics
Twelve competitive Senate races highlight 2026 battle for chamber control
With Republicans holding a 53-47 majority, six key state contests are currently rated as toss-ups heading into the midterms.
The short version
- Six states—Michigan, Iowa, Texas, Ohio, Maine, and Alaska—are currently designated as toss-ups in recent power rankings.
- Republicans are defending a 53-47 Senate majority while navigating traditional midterm political headwinds and economic pressures.
- Key developments include primary victories by non-establishment candidates and unusual ballot dynamics in several contested states.
Key facts
- The Fox News Power Rankings designate six Senate races as toss-ups: Michigan, Iowa, Texas, Ohio, Maine, and Alaska.[Fox News]
- In Texas, state Representative James Talarico won the Democratic nomination and raised approximately $60 million to face Republican nominee Ken Paxton.[Fox News]
- Maine state Senate President Troy Jackson became the Democratic nominee after primary winner Graham Platner withdrew from the race.[Fox News]
- Former Democratic Senator Sherrod Brown is challenging Republican incumbent Senator Jon Husted in Ohio to complete the remainder of Vice President JD Vance's term.[Fox News]
- In Alaska, former Representative Mary Peltola is challenging Republican incumbent Senator Dan Sullivan, while a second candidate also named Dan Sullivan appears on the ballot.[Fox News]
What remains uncertain
- Republicans allege the candidacy of a second Dan Sullivan in Alaska is a strategy to confuse voters, an assertion the candidate has denied.[Fox News]
- Former Maine Democratic candidate Graham Platner withdrew from the Senate race following multiple controversies, including a rape allegation that he denied.[Fox News]