US News
Senate majority in play as Democrats aim for four-seat net gain
Democrats must flip four seats to take Senate control from Republicans, according to CBS News.
The short version
- Republicans hold a 53-seat Senate majority, meaning Democrats require a net gain of four seats in the midterm elections to gain control.[CBS News]
- Competitive contests include Maine, where Troy Jackson is challenging GOP Senator Susan Collins after original candidate Graham Platner withdrew following a sexual assault allegation.[CBS News]
- In Texas, Ken Paxton is competing against Democratic state Representative James Talarico after Paxton unseated incumbent Senator John Cornyn in a primary runoff.[CBS News]
- External race ratings remain divided in key states like Iowa, where forecasters disagree on whether the contest is a pure toss-up or leans Republican.[CBS News]
Key facts
- Republicans maintain a 53-seat Senate majority, requiring Democrats to net four seats in November to win control.[CBS News]
- Maine Democrats chose Troy Jackson to challenge Republican Senator Susan Collins following Graham Platner's July exit amid a sexual assault allegation.[CBS News]
- Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton defeated incumbent Senator John Cornyn in a primary runoff before advancing to face Democratic state Representative James Talarico.[CBS News]
- In Alaska, incumbent Senator Dan Sullivan tried unsuccessfully to have a candidate named Daniel J. Sullivan removed from the ballot.[CBS News]
What remains uncertain
- The outcome in Iowa remains contested among election handicappers, with The Cook Political Report rating it a toss-up and the University of Virginia's Center for Politics rating it as leaning Republican.[CBS News]
Sources
Outlet counts describe coverage, not independent confirmation. Reports may share a wire service or original source.