2026 Senate Races

All 35 US Senate seats on the ballot in 2026 (33 regular elections plus special elections in Ohio and Florida). Republicans are defending 22 seats; Democrats are defending 13.

Senate Control at Stake

Currently: Republicans hold the Senate majority won in 2024. With 35 seats up in 2026, including open seats from a wave of retirements, control of the chamber is in play.

13
Dem Seats Up
22
GOP Seats Up
8
Competitive Races
Nov 3
Election Day

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Competitive Races (Toss-up or Lean)

Alaska Toss-up
Dan Sullivan (R) - Incumbent, seeking third term
Mary Peltola (D) - Former US Rep, front-runner for Democrats
Primary upcoming Aug 18 (top-4 nonpartisan, RCV general); ballot dispute over same-named challenger Dan Sullivan resolved in challenger's favor by Alaska Supreme Court Jun 29; FBI and state AG investigating potential voter-confusion scheme Updated: Aug 14, 2026
Maine Toss-up
Susan Collins (R) - Incumbent, seeking sixth term
Troy Jackson (D) - Former state Senate president; formally nominated at Jul 25 Bangor convention with 90%+ of delegates; all serious rivals dropped out by Jul 19
Nominees set: Jackson nominated at Jul 25 Bangor convention (601 delegates, won 90%+); Platner won June primary but withdrew Jul 8 amid scandal; Jackson defeated only minor challenger Saundra Pelletier at convention. Updated: Aug 14, 2026
Michigan Toss-up
Abdul El-Sayed (D) - Progressive public health advocate; won Aug 4 Democratic primary over Rep. Haley Stevens despite $60M+ in outside spending against him (NBC News projection)
Mike Rogers (R) - Former congressman, 2024 nominee, GOP nominee
Nominees set: El-Sayed won Aug 4 Democratic primary over Stevens despite $60M+ in outside spending against him; Rogers was GOP nominee (no competitive primary). Open seat, Peters retiring. Updated: Aug 14, 2026
Ohio (Special) Toss-up
Jon Husted (R) - Appointed incumbent (filling JD Vance's seat)
Sherrod Brown (D) - Former three-term senator
Nominees set; both won May 2026 primaries (Husted unopposed, Brown with 89.4%) Updated: Aug 14, 2026
Iowa Lean R
Ashley Hinson (R) - Congresswoman, Trump-endorsed, won Jun 2 primary 73.9%
Josh Turek (D) - State representative, won Jun 2 primary 62.6%
Nominees set; primaries held June 2, 2026 (open seat, Ernst retiring); Inside Elections moved from Lean R to Tilt R on Aug 6 amid tight polling Updated: Aug 14, 2026
New Hampshire Lean D
Chris Pappas (D) - US Rep, Democratic primary front-runner
John Sununu (R) - Former US Senator, GOP primary front-runner
Scott Brown (R) - Former MA Senator, trailing in GOP primary
Open seat (Shaheen retiring); primaries upcoming Sep 8, 2026 Updated: Aug 14, 2026
North Carolina Lean D
Roy Cooper (D) - Former Governor, Democratic nominee
Michael Whatley (R) - Former RNC chair, Trump-backed Republican nominee
Open seat (Tillis retiring); nominees set after Mar 3 primaries Updated: Aug 14, 2026
Texas Lean R
Ken Paxton (R) - State AG, won May 26 runoff over incumbent Cornyn
James Talarico (D) - State representative, won Dem primary 52.4%
Nominees set; Paxton beat Cornyn 63.8% in May 26 GOP runoff; Talarico beat Crockett for Dem nod Updated: Aug 14, 2026
Florida (Special) Likely R
Ashley Moody (R) - Appointed incumbent, GOP primary front-runner
Alex Vindman (D) - Primary front-runner vs Angie Nixon
Primary upcoming Aug 18, 2026 (special for remainder of Rubio's term) Updated: Aug 14, 2026
Georgia Likely D
Jon Ossoff (D) - Incumbent
Mike Collins (R) - US Rep, Trump-endorsed, won Jun 16 runoff 55.5% over Derek Dooley
Nominees set: GOP runoff held Jun 16 after May 19 primary Updated: Aug 14, 2026
Kansas Likely R
Roger Marshall (R) - Incumbent, won Aug 4 GOP primary
Adam Hamilton (D) - Methodist pastor; won Aug 4 Democratic primary from crowded 11-candidate field
Nominees set after Aug 4 primaries: Marshall won GOP primary; Hamilton won Democratic primary from crowded 11-candidate field. Cook moved from Safe to Likely R on Jul 6, 2026. Updated: Aug 14, 2026
Kentucky Likely R
Andy Barr (R) - Congressman, Trump-endorsed, won May 19 primary 60.5% over Daniel Cameron
Charles Booker (D) - Won May 19 primary with 47%; 2022 nominee
Nominees set; primaries held May 19, 2026 (open seat, McConnell retiring) Updated: Aug 14, 2026
Minnesota Likely D
Peggy Flanagan (D) - Lt. Governor; won Aug 11 DFL Senate primary over Rep. Angie Craig 58.7-39.7%
Michele Tafoya (R) - NRSC-endorsed; won Aug 11 GOP Senate primary with about 52% over state party-endorsed Schwarze and Royce White
Nominees set: Flanagan won Aug 11 DFL primary over Craig 58.7-39.7%; Tafoya won GOP primary with about 52% over state party-endorsed Schwarze (24%) and Royce White (11%). General election: Flanagan vs. Tafoya. Open seat, Smith retiring. Updated: Aug 14, 2026
Mississippi Likely R
Cindy Hyde-Smith (R) - Incumbent, won Mar 10 primary with 80.8%
Scott Colom (D) - District attorney, won Mar 10 primary
Ty Pinkins (I) - Independent
Nominees set; primaries held Mar 10, 2026 Updated: Aug 14, 2026
Nebraska Likely R
Pete Ricketts (R) - Incumbent, won May 12 primary with 81.8%
Dan Osborn (I) - Former union leader, 2024 candidate; no poll shows Ricketts pulling clear in a state Trump won by 20 pts
Nominees set; primaries held May 12, 2026; Democrat Burbank pledged to drop out to back Osborn Updated: Aug 14, 2026
Alabama Safe R
Barry Moore (R) - US Rep, Trump-endorsed, won Jun 16 runoff 55.8%
Everett Wess (D) - Attorney, won Jun 16 runoff 54.6%
Nominees set: open seat (Tuberville ran for governor); May 19 primaries went to Jun 16 runoffs Updated: Aug 14, 2026
Arkansas Safe R
Tom Cotton (R) - Incumbent, won primary 81.6%
Hallie Shoffner (D) - Farmer, won primary 78.3%
Nominees set: primaries held Mar 3, 2026 Updated: Aug 14, 2026
Colorado Safe D
John Hickenlooper (D) - Incumbent, won primary 53% over Julie Gonzales
Mark Baisley (R) - State senator
Nominees set: Jun 30 primaries done (Baisley advanced unopposed via state assembly) Updated: Aug 14, 2026
Delaware Safe D
Chris Coons (D) - Incumbent, heavy front-runner; faces Christopher Beardsley in primary
Michael Katz (R) - Primary contender vs John Shulli, no clear front-runner
Primary upcoming Sep 15, 2026 Updated: Aug 14, 2026
Idaho Safe R
Jim Risch (R) - Incumbent, won primary 67.3%
Todd Achilles (I) - Former Democratic state legislator and Army veteran; became main challenger after Roth withdrew Jul 28; raised $692k vs Risch $3.3M
Nominees set: primaries held May 19, 2026; Dem nominee David Roth withdrew Jul 28, cleared path for independent Todd Achilles (former state legislator, Army veteran) as main challenger Updated: Aug 14, 2026
Illinois Safe D
Juliana Stratton (D) - Lt. Governor, won Mar 17 primary with 40.4%
Darren Tracy (R) - won Mar 17 primary with 40%
Nominees set; primaries held March 17, 2026 (open seat, Durbin retiring) Updated: Aug 14, 2026
Louisiana Safe R
Julia Letlow (R) - Congresswoman, Trump-endorsed, won Jun 27 runoff 56.9% over John Fleming
Jamie Davis (D) - Tensas Parish police juror
Nominees set; incumbent Cassidy lost May 16 primary, Letlow won Jun 27 runoff Updated: Aug 14, 2026
Massachusetts Safe D
Ed Markey (D) - Incumbent, primary front-runner, won party convention endorsement
Seth Moulton (D) - Congressman, primary challenger
Primary upcoming Sep 1, 2026; Markey vs Moulton, first debate held Jul 8 Updated: Aug 14, 2026
Montana Safe R
Kurt Alme (R) - Former US Attorney, won Jun 2 primary (76%), Daines-endorsed
Alani Bankhead (D) - Air Force officer, won Jun 2 primary (43.7%)
Seth Bodnar (I) - Former University of Montana president
Nominees set; primaries held Jun 2, 2026; Daines withdrew at filing deadline and is not running; both independent Bodnar and Democrat Bankhead confirmed staying through Aug 10 withdrawal deadline, keeping a three-way race. Cook Political Report and Sabato's Crystal Ball confirmed Safe R on Aug 12. Updated: Aug 14, 2026
New Jersey Safe D
Cory Booker (D) - Incumbent, unopposed in primary
Justin Murphy (R) - Former Tabernacle deputy mayor, won Jun 2 primary (33.3%)
Nominees set; primaries held Jun 2, 2026 Updated: Aug 14, 2026
New Mexico Safe D
Ben Ray Lujan (D) - Incumbent, won Jun 2 primary
Larry Marker (R) - Former oil and gas operator, qualified as write-in nominee
Nominees set; primaries held Jun 2, 2026; GOP filer disqualified, Republican qualified via write-in Updated: Aug 14, 2026
Oklahoma Safe R
Kevin Hern (R) - Rep. OK-01, Trump-endorsed, won Jun 16 primary
Jim Priest (D) - Attorney, in Aug 25 runoff vs Jasmine Thomas
Open seat (Mullin resigned Mar 2026 for DHS); GOP nominee set in Jun 16 primary; Dem runoff Aug 25 Updated: Aug 14, 2026
Oregon Safe D
Jeff Merkley (D) - Incumbent, seeking fourth term, won primary 93.2%
David Brock Smith (R) - State senator, won primary with 29.5%
Nominees set in May 19 primaries Updated: Aug 14, 2026
Rhode Island Safe D
Jack Reed (D) - Incumbent, seeking sixth term, primary front-runner
Raymond McKay (R) - Republican primary contender vs Allen Waters
Primaries upcoming Sep 8, 2026 Updated: Aug 14, 2026
South Carolina Safe R
Annie Andrews (D) - Pediatrician, won Jun 9 Dem primary 61.5%
TBD (Aug 25 runoff: Nordone vs. Norman) (R) - Darline Graham Nordone (Trump-endorsed, appointed interim senator, led Aug 11 primary 32.7%) vs. Ralph Norman (24.6%) in Aug 25 runoff. Russell Fry (19.6%), Mark Sanford, and others eliminated.
Special GOP primary Aug 11: Nordone (Trump-endorsed, interim senator) led with 32.7%, Norman second at 24.6%, Fry third at 19.6%, Sanford and others eliminated. Nordone and Norman advance to Aug 25 runoff. Winner faces Democrat Andrews in November for the seat formerly held by the late Sen. Lindsey Graham. Updated: Aug 14, 2026
South Dakota Safe R
Mike Rounds (R) - Incumbent, seeking third term
Brian Bengs (I) - Retired military officer; now the only Rounds challenger after Beaudion withdrew Aug 4
Nominees set; Rounds won Jun 2 GOP primary with 75.8%; Democratic nominee Julian Beaudion withdrew Aug 4 citing a house fire and alleged threats; SD Democrats will not name a replacement; race is now Rounds vs. independent Bengs. Updated: Aug 14, 2026
Tennessee Safe R
Bill Hagerty (R) - Incumbent, ran unopposed in Aug 6 GOP primary; seeks second term
Marquita Bradshaw (D) - 2020 nominee; won Aug 6 Democratic primary from a five-candidate field
Nominees set: Hagerty ran unopposed for GOP; Bradshaw won Aug 6 Democratic primary from a five-candidate field. Hagerty seeks second term. Updated: Aug 14, 2026
Virginia Safe D
Mark Warner (D) - Incumbent, nominee
Bert Mizusawa (R) - Retired Army major general; won Aug 4 GOP primary with 50.71% over Williams (29.54%) and Farington (19.75%)
Nominees set: Mizusawa won Aug 4 GOP primary 50.71% over Williams (29.54%) and Farington (19.75%); Warner is Democratic nominee Updated: Aug 14, 2026
West Virginia (Special) Safe R
Shelley Moore Capito (R) - Incumbent, won May 12 primary with 66.5%
Rachel Fetty Anderson (D) - Former Morgantown councilwoman, won May 12 primary with 33.2%
Nominees set; primaries held May 12, 2026 Updated: Aug 14, 2026
Wyoming Safe R
Harriet Hageman (R) - US Rep, primary front-runner, endorsed by Lummis
James Byrd (D) - Democratic primary candidate
Open seat (Lummis retiring); primary upcoming Aug 18, 2026 Updated: Aug 14, 2026

All Other Senate Races

Alabama

Tommy Tuberville (R) - Incumbent

Safe R

Alaska

Lisa Murkowski (R) - Incumbent

Likely R

Arkansas

Tom Cotton (R) - Incumbent

Safe R

Colorado

Michael Bennet (D) - Incumbent

Likely D

Delaware

Chris Coons (D) - Incumbent

Safe D

Idaho

Jim Risch (R) - Incumbent

Safe R

Illinois

Dick Durbin (D) - Incumbent

Safe D

Iowa

Joni Ernst (R) - Incumbent

Likely R

Kansas

Roger Marshall (R) - Incumbent

Safe R

Kentucky

Mitch McConnell (R) - Incumbent

Safe R

Louisiana

Bill Cassidy (R) - Incumbent

Safe R

Maine

Susan Collins (R) - Incumbent

Likely R

Massachusetts

Ed Markey (D) - Incumbent

Safe D

Minnesota

Tina Smith (D) - Incumbent

Likely D

Mississippi

Cindy Hyde-Smith (R) - Incumbent

Safe R

Montana

Steve Daines (R) - Incumbent

Safe R

Nebraska

Deb Fischer (R) - Incumbent

Safe R

New Hampshire

Jeanne Shaheen (D) - Incumbent

Likely D

New Jersey

Cory Booker (D) - Incumbent

Safe D

New Mexico

Martin Heinrich (D) - Incumbent

Likely D

North Carolina

Thom Tillis (R) - Incumbent

Likely R

Oklahoma

James Lankford (R) - Incumbent

Safe R

Oregon

Jeff Merkley (D) - Incumbent

Safe D

Rhode Island

Jack Reed (D) - Incumbent

Safe D

South Carolina

Lindsey Graham (R) - Incumbent

Safe R

Tennessee

Marsha Blackburn (R) - Incumbent

Safe R

Common Questions About the 2026 Senate Elections

When is the 2026 Senate election?

Election Day is Tuesday, November 3, 2026. Federal general elections are held on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November. Many states also hold primaries earlier in the year and some hold runoffs afterward, so the date that matters for a given race depends on your state.

How many Senate seats are up in 2026?

35 seats: the 33 regular Class 2 seats, plus special elections in Ohio and Florida to fill vacancies. Republicans are defending 22 of them and Democrats 13.

Why are 35 seats up instead of 33?

Only 33 seats belong to Class 2, the group whose six-year terms expire in 2026. The other two are special elections, which are held when a seat becomes vacant between regular elections. Special elections can appear in any state in any cycle.

What is a Senate class?

The Senate is divided into three classes so that terms are staggered and roughly one third of the chamber is elected every two years. Each senator serves a six-year term. Class 2 seats were last contested in 2020, which is why they are on the ballot again in 2026.

How many seats does a party need to control the Senate?

51 of the 100 seats gives a party outright control. A party can also operate a majority with 50 seats if it holds the vice presidency, because the Vice President casts tie-breaking votes in the Senate.

When do the winners take office?

Newly elected senators are sworn in when the new Congress convenes on January 3, 2027, under the 20th Amendment. Winners of special elections may be seated earlier, since they are filling a seat that is already vacant.

See also the 2026 governor races, the House races, the interactive election map, and the full 2026 election calendar.