Election Day update — Tuesday, November 3, 2026. Results will be added as races are called.
The Senate races 2026 voters are deciding today will settle who controls the upper chamber for the last two years of President Trump’s term. Republicans hold a 53–47 majority, so Democrats need a net gain of four seats to take over. Here are the key Senate races 2026 to watch tonight, the candidates in each one, and what each party needs to win.
Senate races 2026 at a glance
- Seats on the ballot: 35 — 33 regular seats plus special elections in Florida and Ohio (the seats once held by Marco Rubio and JD Vance)
- Who is defending: Republicans defend 22 seats, Democrats defend 13
- Current Senate: 53 Republicans, 47 Democrats (45 Democrats plus two independents who caucus with them)
- Magic number: Democrats need 51 seats. Republicans keep control with 50, because Vice President JD Vance breaks ties.
- Early vote: more than 54 million ballots were cast before Election Day, according to the AP — nearly 9 million more than in 2022.
The 11 key Senate races 2026 to watch
| State | Republican | Democrat | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|---|
| Texas (open) | Ken Paxton | James Talarico | Rated a toss-up in a state Trump won by ~14 points |
| Michigan (open) | Mike Rogers | Abdul El-Sayed | Democratic-held seat in a swing state |
| North Carolina (open) | Michael Whatley | Roy Cooper | Top Democratic pickup chance |
| Maine | Sen. Susan Collins | Troy Jackson | Only GOP senator in a state Harris won |
| Ohio (special) | Sen. Jon Husted | Sherrod Brown | Comeback bid by a former senator |
| Georgia | Mike Collins | Sen. Jon Ossoff | Republicans’ best pickup chance |
| New Hampshire (open) | John Sununu | Chris Pappas | Open Democratic seat |
| Alaska | Sen. Dan Sullivan | Mary Peltola | Ranked-choice voting and a name-alike candidate |
| Iowa (open) | Ashley Hinson | Josh Turek | Joni Ernst’s open seat |
| Kansas | Sen. Roger Marshall | Adam Hamilton | Polls tightened in the fall |
| South Carolina | Sen. Darline Graham | Annie Andrews | Appointed senator’s first election |
Texas: Ken Paxton vs. James Talarico
The most expensive and most-watched of all the Senate races 2026. Attorney General Ken Paxton beat Sen. John Cornyn in a bitter runoff, and Cornyn never endorsed him. Democrat James Talarico, a state representative, has raised more than $120 million, while Elon Musk put nearly $190 million behind Paxton. Trump won Texas by almost 14 points in 2024, yet NBC rates the race a toss-up.
Michigan: Mike Rogers vs. Abdul El-Sayed
This open Democratic seat is a must-hold for Democrats. Former GOP Rep. Mike Rogers faces progressive Abdul El-Sayed. In a twist two days before the election, Rep. Haley Stevens — who lost the Democratic primary to El-Sayed — endorsed Rogers. NBC still rated the race Lean Democratic.
North Carolina: Roy Cooper vs. Michael Whatley
With Sen. Thom Tillis retiring, popular former Gov. Roy Cooper is running against former Republican National Committee chair Michael Whatley. A Cooper win would be Democrats’ first step toward a majority.
Maine: Susan Collins vs. Troy Jackson
Five-term Sen. Susan Collins is again Democrats’ top target. Her opponent, Troy Jackson, became the nominee after Graham Platner left the race. NBC rated Maine Lean Democratic heading into Election Day.
Ohio special election: Jon Husted vs. Sherrod Brown
Sen. Jon Husted was appointed to fill JD Vance’s seat when Vance became vice president. Former Sen. Sherrod Brown, who lost his own seat by four points in 2024, is trying a comeback. The winner serves until 2028.
Georgia: Jon Ossoff vs. Mike Collins
Sen. Jon Ossoff is the only Democratic senator running for re-election in a state Trump won in 2024, which makes Georgia the GOP’s best chance to flip a seat. Rep. Mike Collins is the Republican nominee.
New Hampshire: Chris Pappas vs. John Sununu
Democratic Sen. Jeanne Shaheen is retiring. Rep. Chris Pappas faces former Sen. John E. Sununu in a race NBC rated Lean Democratic.
Alaska: Dan Sullivan vs. Mary Peltola
Former Rep. Mary Peltola gives Democrats a real shot in a state Trump won by 13 points. Alaska uses ranked-choice voting, and a second candidate named Daniel J. Sullivan Jr. is on the ballot next to Sen. Dan Sullivan, which has led to legal fights. Results could take days.
Iowa, Kansas and South Carolina
- Iowa: GOP Rep. Ashley Hinson faces state Rep. Josh Turek, a Paralympian, for Joni Ernst’s open seat.
- Kansas: Sen. Roger Marshall’s race against pastor Adam Hamilton, a former Republican, tightened after a September report on lawsuits involving Marshall’s medical practice.
- South Carolina: Sen. Darline Graham, appointed in July after the death of her brother, Sen. Lindsey Graham, faces Democrat Annie Andrews. NBC rated it Lean Republican.
NBC also listed Nebraska as Lean Republican among the competitive contests.
What decides control of the Senate tonight
- Democrats’ path: hold Michigan, Georgia and New Hampshire, then flip four of North Carolina, Maine, Ohio, Texas, Alaska, Iowa and Kansas.
- Republicans’ path: win Texas and Ohio, and hold the line in Maine and North Carolina — or flip Georgia or Michigan.
- Money: Republicans outspent Democrats by more than $320 million in the seven Cook toss-up Senate races, but Democratic nominees outraised their opponents in nearly every battleground.
- Issues: cost of living, the war with Iran, immigration, abortion rights and AI data centers dominated the campaign.
When will we know the Senate results?
East Coast races such as Georgia, North Carolina and New Hampshire report early in the evening. Texas, Michigan and Ohio should follow later in the night, while Maine and Alaska use ranked-choice voting and may take days. Check our poll closing times for 2026 and when to expect midterm election results. Still need to vote? Read our Election Day 2026 guide, and see the House races to watch and 2026 governor races.
Sources: CBS News, Fox News, WSLS/NBC, Al Jazeera.
See the latest forecasts and betting odds: who will win the midterms 2026.
FAQ
How many Senate seats are up in 2026?
35: 33 regular seats plus special elections in Florida and Ohio. Republicans are defending 22 of them and Democrats 13.
How many seats do Democrats need to win the Senate?
A net gain of four seats, for 51. With 50 seats Republicans keep control because Vice President JD Vance breaks ties.
What are the closest Senate races 2026?
Texas, Michigan, North Carolina, Maine, Ohio, Georgia, New Hampshire, Alaska, Iowa, Kansas and South Carolina are the key Senate races to watch.
Who is running for Senate in Texas in 2026?
Republican Attorney General Ken Paxton and Democratic state Rep. James Talarico. It is rated a toss-up.
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