11 races that could determine control of the Senate
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Washington — Over a third of the Senate's seats are up for election in 2026, and until recently, Republicans appeared exceedingly confident about their prospects of remaining in control after the midterm elections this fall. While Republicans are defending more seats, many of them are in states that President Trump won by comfortable margins in the last election. With few opportunities for pickups and a handful of open seats to defend, the 2026 cycle has posed an uphill battle for Democrats.
AI Summary
Main Idea: CBS News says the fight for Senate control in 2026 will hinge on a small set of key races, including Susan Collins’s seat in Maine, while Democrats hope Sherrod Brown and Janet Mills can help them win back the chamber.
Key Points:
- Republicans start with a 53-seat majority, and Democrats need a net gain of four seats to take control.
- Collins is defending a Maine seat that Democrats see as competitive, with Janet Mills and Graham Platner competing for the Democratic nomination.
- Sherrod Brown is trying to win back an Ohio seat, while Democrats also see possible pickups in Michigan, Alaska, and North Carolina.
- Open-seat races in New Hampshire, Iowa, Nebraska, Texas, and Minnesota could also shape the final balance of power.
Impact on the People
Negative Impact
A close Senate fight could keep national policy in flux, leaving households and small businesses unsure about taxes, prices, and federal rules.
Positive Impact
Voters in key states could use these races to shift Congress, which may change how quickly leaders address affordability, health care, and war-related spending.
How did each entity affect people?
Rate how each entity in this article affected the American people.
- Primary:Senator Sherrod Brownperson
- Primary:Senator Susan Collinsperson
Candidate Entities12 candidates · 5 weighted vote min · 70% decision
- Senator Sherrod BrownpersonPrimaryEvaluated
Central Democratic comeback candidate in Ohio and a major factor in control of the Senate.
Include 0 (0%)Ignore 0 (0%)5 to threshold - Senator Susan CollinspersonPrimaryEvaluated
Central Republican incumbent defending a key Senate seat in Maine.
Include 0 (0%)Ignore 0 (0%)5 to threshold - Abdul El-SayedpersonMajorAI selected
Major Democratic primary candidate in the competitive Michigan Senate race.
Include 0 (0%)Ignore 0 (0%)5 to threshold - Governor Janet MillspersonMajorAI selected
Leading Democratic primary contender for the Maine Senate race.
Include 0 (0%)Ignore 0 (0%)5 to threshold - Graham PlatnerpersonMajorAI selected
Major Democratic primary contender and prominent challenger in the Maine Senate race.
Include 0 (0%)Ignore 0 (0%)5 to threshold - Representative Haley StevenspersonMajorAI selected
Major Democratic primary candidate in the competitive Michigan Senate race.
Include 0 (0%)Ignore 0 (0%)5 to threshold - Representative Mary PeltolapersonMajorAI selected
Main Democratic challenger in Alaska’s Senate race.
Include 0 (0%)Ignore 0 (0%)5 to threshold - Representative Mike RogerspersonMajorAI selected
Major Republican candidate in the Michigan Senate race and previous statewide nominee.
Include 0 (0%)Ignore 0 (0%)5 to threshold
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