The current balance of power hinges on several competitive races in historically red territory, including Alaska, Iowa, and Kansas, alongside a key battle in Maine. In Alaska, Democratic candidate Mary Peltola has taken a narrow polling lead while substantially outraising incumbent Dan Sullivan by collecting $33 million in October alone. Meanwhile, Midwestern agricultural voters in Iowa and Kansas are expressing discontent over escalating fuel, fertilizer, and trade costs tied to foreign policy conflicts.
Key points
Economic fallout from tariffs, farming costs, and the war in Iran has diminished Presiden…: Economic fallout from tariffs, farming costs, and the war in Iran has diminished President Donald Trump's popularity and endangered Republican incumbents.
A combination of name confusion and ranked-choice voting has heightened the vulnerability…: A combination of name confusion and ranked-choice voting has heightened the vulnerability of Alaska's Republican seat.
Democratic campaigns in Kansas and Iowa are making unexpected gains by focusing on rural…: Democratic campaigns in Kansas and Iowa are making unexpected gains by focusing on rural economic grievances and trade disruptions.
Sources checked by our analysis pipeline: 1
From Texas to Maine, rising prices and the Iran war put key Senate races in play as Democrats fight for control.
Democrats need a net gain of at least four seats in November’s midterm elections to take control of the United States Senate from Republicans, as voter discontent with President Donald Trump, the Iran war, and rising prices heighten the races in once-safe Republican states.
Republicans currently hold a 53-47 majority, and a Democratic takeover seemed highly unlikely at the start of the year – before the US launched its war on Iran.
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Here are the key races that could decide the control of the Senate:
Alaska
Republican Senator Dan Sullivan is seeking re-election against Democratic former US Representative Mary…
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