Home · Politics · Oct 31 archive
Midterm Elections: Key Senate Races Could Decide Control
Confirmed
In Short: As the 2026 midterm elections approach, Democrats face a challenging path to regain control of the US Senate, where Republicans currently hold a 53-47 majority.
The race in Alaska is one of the key contests, with incumbent Republican Senator Dan Sullivan facing a strong challenge from Democratic former US Representative Mary Peltola.
Republicans have also outspent Democrats in the race, with $42 million spent by Republicans compared to $38 million by Democrats.
In a campaign rally, former President Donald Trump criticized the race, calling it a scheme and alleging election fraud.
Former President Barack Obama has emphasized the importance of these races, stating that they provide Democrats a direct avenue to try to halt Trump's agenda over the next two years.
The push for control of the Senate includes cutting off spending in less attainable House races and focusing on key Senate seats.
With rising prices and the ongoing war on Iran, voter discontent is high, making these races more competitive than initially expected.
State races are also gaining attention, with all 47 Maryland State Senate seats up for grabs.
Tech money has been pouring into many of these races, with ad spending data suggesting the core battle is less about stopping a Democratic wave in the House and more about how high it crests.
What this adds
The surge in spending and voter discontent with the war on Iran and rising prices are making these races more competitive.
Environmental advocates are focusing on state races, given the low likelihood of federal climate policy under Trump.
Voters are increasingly relying on chatbots to make informed decisions in down-ballot races with thinner news coverage.
Background
The surge in spending comes as consumers continue to navigate higher prices and slower wage growth, making every purchase a careful decision.
The U.S. midterm elections face uncertainty as key Senate races tighten, with Trump and Obama campaigning in Ohio.
What's confirmed
- Democrats need a net gain of at least four seats in November’s midterm elections to take control of the United States Senate from Republicans, as voter discontent with President Donald Trump, the Iran war, and rising prices heighten the races in once-safe Republican states.
What's still developing
- Republicans currently hold a 53-47 majority, and a Democratic takeover seemed highly unlikely at the start of the year – before the US launched its war on Iran.
- “I feel like this is yet another diversion from the issue that Alaskans want to talk about, which is affordability,” she explained.
- At a campaign rally last week in Greenville, Trump told supporters it was “crazy” that former Governor Roy Cooper, a Democrat, was going to be their next senator.
- Thousands of races are taking place across the US, at different levels of government.
- With a low likelihood of federal climate policy under Trump, regardless of the outcome of the midterms, state races are where most environmental advocates are looking.
- CBS News' "America Decides: Election 2026" live coverage on TV and cable starts Tuesday at 7 p.m.
- Several voters NPR spoke with said they rely on chatbots for down-ballot races with thinner news coverage, to make tables comparing candidates for governors' races and to verify or debunk viral claims.
- He is “clearly transitioning into a female,” reported White House Deputy Chief of Staff for Policy Stephen Miller.
- "Election night is expected to be among the most demanding live events we cover. The results don't arrive in order, and no two viewers are following the same set of races," Amit Dudakia, SVP & Head of Product at FOX Direct to Consumer, said in a statement.
- Then a panel including Jonah Goldberg and Mike Warren dove deep on the races most likely to decide congressional majorities and take a look at how candidates in competitive races are making their closing arguments.
- John Hanna, Associated Press John Hanna, Associated Press TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Kansas Republican Sen. Roger Marshall said Wednesday that Ukraine's war with Russia — and not the U.S. war with Iran — was to blame for high diesel prices that have imperiled his party's control of Congress in the midterm elections.