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Republicans fear Libertarian candidates could draw votes away in key Senate races

Republicans see spoiler risk in several of the most consequential Senate contests this year.

Updated Oct 28, 2026 · 12:24 UTC2 reports

The short version

  • Republicans worry Libertarian candidates could draw votes away in some of the most consequential U.S. Senate races, potentially costing them control of the chamber.[Associated Press]
  • Gene Krebs, a former Republican Ohio state lawmaker, says Libertarians could affect the outcome in several of these races.[Associated Press]
  • Federal disclosures show Enough Promises Ohio PAC, which has Republican ties, received $2.5 million from Conservative Americans PAC, and reports say its fliers promoted a socialist candidate in an apparent effort to pull support from Brown.[Associated Press]
  • Wayne Hamilton, a former Texas Republican Party executive director, says Ken Paxton's legal and ethical problems could push some conservatives toward another choice.[Associated Press]

Key facts

  • Republicans are worried Libertarian candidates could draw votes away in some of the most consequential U.S. Senate races.[Associated Press]
  • Gene Krebs, a former Ohio state lawmaker, said Libertarians could affect outcomes in several of these races.[Associated Press]
  • Enough Promises Ohio PAC, which has Republican ties, distributed fliers promoting a socialist candidate in an apparent effort to pull support from Brown.[Associated Press]
  • Enough Promises Ohio PAC received $2.5 million from Conservative Americans PAC, according to federal disclosure reports.[Associated Press]
  • Wayne Hamilton, a former Texas Republican Party executive director, said Ken Paxton's legal and ethical problems could lead some conservatives to consider other options.[Associated Press]
  • Republicans currently hold the Senate 53-47, and the Fox News Power Rankings rate control of the chamber a toss-up.[Fox News]

What remains uncertain

  • It is unknown whether Libertarian candidates will change any outcomes; the impact claims are attributed to Republican sources and have not been measured.[Associated Press]
  • The toss-up rating is a forecast by Fox News Power Rankings, not an election result.[Fox News]

Sources

Outlet counts describe coverage, not independent confirmation. Reports may share a wire service or original source.