Democrats are hoping President Donald Trump’s unpopularity and voter discontent with the economy and cost of living will help them flip control of the U.S. House — and achieve the even more difficult hurdle of winning back the U.S. Senate.
Republicans currently control the Senate 53 to 47 and senators serve six-year terms, meaning a third of the Senate is up every election cycle. For Democrats to win back the chamber in 2026, they’d need to hold on to every seat they have, including competitive ones in Georgia and Michigan. They would also have to flip four GOP-held seats — targets include Maine, North Carolina, and even more Republican-leaning states such as Alaska, Iowa, Ohio, and Texas.
Women candidates are on the ballot in some of 2026’s biggest Senate races, and some, like Julianna Stratton and Mary Peltola, have the potential to make history.
Here are the top Senate races The 19th is watching in 2026:
Alaska | Illinois | Iowa | Louisiana | Maine | Michigan | Minnesota | Texas
Alaska
Mary Peltola, a Democrat who was the first Alaska Native elected to Congress in 2022, is challenging GOP Sen. Dan Sullivan. Alaska is solidly Republican at the presidential level but is known for its independent streak, giving Democrats hope of pulling off a long-shot pickup.
Key dates:
- August 18: Primary Election Day 2026! Polls are open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.
- November 3: General Election Day 2026! Polls are open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Illinois
Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton won Illinois’ Democratic Senate primary and is all but certain to make history as one of three Black women to serve in the upper chamber at the same time. Stratton will face former Illinois Republican Party Chair Don Tracy in November.
Key dates:
- October 18: Last day to register online to vote for general election
- November 3: General Election Day 2026! Polls are open from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Iowa
GOP Rep. Ashley Hinson, widely seen as a rising star in Republican politics, is running for the open Senate seat vacated by Sen. Joni Ernst’s retirement. She will face Democratic state Rep. Josh Turek in November. Iowa has voted for President Donald Trump three times, but it’s still on the map for Democrats as they aim to flip the Senate.
Key dates:
- November 3: General Election Day 2026! Polls are open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Louisiana
Rep. Julia Letlow is advancing to a June 27 runoff in the Republican primary for Senate in Louisiana, as Sen. Bill Cassidy became the first incumbent elected U.S. senator to lose renomination in 14 years.
Key dates:
- June 20: Last day of early voting for runoff election
- June 27: Runoff Election Day! Polls are open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.
- October 27: Last day of early voting for general election
- November 3: General Election Day 2026! Polls are open from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Maine
Republican Sen. Susan Collins is set to face oyster farmer and military veteran Graham Platner, a first-time Democratic candidate who has attracted national attention with a progressive, economic populist platform but whose personal history has drawn controversy. Maine is likely a must-win state for Democrats if they hope to flip the U.S. Senate.
Key dates:
- November 3: General Election Day 2026! Polls close at 8 p.m.
Michigan
Sen. Gary Peters’ retirement has opened up a competitive race for Senate in Michigan. Rep. Haley Stevens, state Sen. Mallory McMorrow and former Wayne County public health official Abdul El-Sayed are competing in a three-way race for the Democratic nomination. The winner will face Republican former Rep. Mike Rogers.
Key dates:
- July 25: Early, in-person voting begins.
- August 4: Primary election day 2026! Polls are open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.
- November 3: General Election Day 2026! Polls are open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Minnesota
Democratic Sen. Tina Smith’s retirement opened up a Senate seat in blue-leaning Minnesota. The leading candidates in the Democratic primary are Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan and Rep. Angie Craig, the ranking member of the House Committee on Agriculture. The Republican front-runner is ex-sports broadcaster Michele Tafoya.
Key dates:
- June 26: Early in-person voting begins.
- August 11: Primary election day 2026! Polls are open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Texas
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, who clinched the GOP’s nomination for U.S. Senate over incumbent GOP Sen. John Cornyn, will face Democratic state Rep. James Talarico in the general election. A Democrat hasn’t won statewide in Texas in over 30 years, but Democrats are hoping to flip the seat in their quest to win back the Senate.
Key dates:
- November 3: General Election Day 2026! Polls are open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
