Midterm 2026: Inside the 13 Senate and 9 Governor Races That Decide Power
With polls open, the fight for Congress hinges on competitive Senate seats in states like Michigan and Ohio, along with nine closely watched governorships.
By Adewale Fletcher ·
Voters across the nation are heading to the polls on Tuesday, November 3, 2026, to determine the balance of power in Washington halfway through President Donald Trump's second term. The Associated Press describes this election as a referendum on the current administration, with many citizens citing high prices and an unpopular war with Iran as primary concerns. More than 57 million people had already cast ballots by Monday, surpassing early voting totals from four years ago in many closely watched states. The outcome will decide which party controls the House and Senate for the president's final two years, a dynamic that could trigger new investigations or shape the 2028 presidential field.
The fight for the Senate involves 35 seats, including 33 regular elections and two special elections for the remaining terms of Marco Rubio in Florida and JD Vance in Ohio. Republicans currently hold 53 seats, while Democrats hold 45, plus two independents who caucus with the minority party. For Democrats to gain a majority, they need a net gain of four seats, whereas Republicans can afford to lose only two. Ballotpedia identifies thirteen specific races as battlegrounds, where the 2024 presidential margins were often tight or where significant political shifts have occurred. These contests range from the open seat in Michigan, where Gary Peters is retiring, to the special election in Ohio featuring former Senator Sherrod Brown and incumbent Jon Husted.
In Michigan, the race between Republican former Representative Mike Rogers and Democrat Abdul El-Sayed has become a focal point for national observers. The margin in the state was narrow in 2024, with Trump winning by just 1.4 points. On Sunday, El-Sayed's former primary opponent Haley Stevens endorsed Rogers, adding a layer of complexity to the Democratic campaign. Meanwhile, in Ohio, the special election pits the well-known progressive Democrat Brown against the established Republican Husted. Trump’s administration has been actively involved in these states, with the president rallying supporters and making claims about voting processes that have drawn attention from both parties.
Other critical Senate races include the contest in Georgia, where Senator Jon Ossoff faces Republican Representative Mike Collins in a state that Trump won by 2.2 points. In North Carolina, Democratic former Governor Roy Cooper is challenging Republican Michael Whatley for the seat left vacant by retiring Senator Thom Tillis. The Associated Press notes that Tillis retired after clashing with Trump, a move that has reshaped the political landscape in the state. In Maine, Senator Susan Collins, a Republican, is running for reelection against Democratic former state Senate President Troy Jackson. The AP indicates that economic strain and tariffs have made the state competitive, with the race rated as a toss-up by multiple political forecasters.
The governorships represent another major front in this midterm cycle, with 36 offices on the ballot across the country. Republicans currently hold 26 governorships, and Democrats hold 24, with each party controlling 18 of the offices currently up for election. Nineteen of these races do not feature an incumbent, as many governors are term-limited or chose not to run. Democrats are hoping to secure a nationwide majority of governorships for the first time in two decades, a goal that has eluded them since 2010. The nine states identified by Ballotpedia as having competitive governor races include Alaska, Arizona, Georgia, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Nevada, Ohio, and Wisconsin.
In Georgia, the governor's race features Republican healthcare executive Rick Jackson against Democratic former Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms. This contest is significant because it will determine the next leader of a state that has become a key target for both parties. In Nevada, incumbent Republican Governor Joe Lombardo is facing Democratic Attorney General Aaron Ford. The AP has labeled this race as competitive, noting the close margins in previous state elections. In Ohio, the governor's race includes Vivek Ramaswamy, a Republican, and Amy Acton, a Democrat. Ramaswamy's campaign recently faced backlash over an advertisement featuring Acton's estranged mother, a detail that has generated significant media coverage and debate among voters.
The financial aspect of the 2026 elections is also a record-breaking story. The Associated Press reports that this cycle is likely to be the most expensive in history, with Republican committees outraising and outspending their Democratic counterparts. This spending advantage is partly due to support from Trump-affiliated groups and Elon Musk. However, at the candidate level, Democrats have managed to outraise their opponents in many races. Analysis of advertising data shows that 88.1 percent of Republican general election television ad spending was directed at states and districts that Trump won in 2024. This strategy reflects a focus on defending the president's base, although some analysts question whether new congressional maps in states like Florida and Texas will vote as originally projected.
Voters are navigating a complex political environment where the administration has continued to make claims about voting fraud, including assertions that noncitizens vote in large numbers. These claims have led to legal challenges, with the administration suing in states like Alaska and California. A federal judge temporarily barred the administration from carrying out a plan intended to prevent noncitizen voting, a move that critics say risks disenfranchising eligible voters. The U.S. Postal Service has added hours, staff, and special lines to ensure that mail-in ballots are counted on time. These administrative details are crucial for a fair and efficient election, particularly in states that rely heavily on mail voting.
