Competitive environments in states Donald Trump won handily in 2024 have expanded the Senate playing field to include races in Alaska, Iowa, Kansas, Ohio, and Texas. Democrats see candidate Roy Cooper as likely to flip North Carolina, while former Senator Sherrod Brown is mounting a challenge against Republican Senator John Husted in Ohio. Republicans are attempting to blunt this momentum by aggressively targeting Democratic seats in Michigan, Minnesota, and New Hampshire.
Key points
Democrats need to achieve a net gain of four seats to capture the Senate majority.: Democrats need to achieve a net gain of four seats to capture the Senate majority.
The GOP views the open Michigan seat as its most promising pickup opportunity of the cycl…: The GOP views the open Michigan seat as its most promising pickup opportunity of the cycle.
The National Republican Senatorial Committee believes voters in conservative regions will…: The National Republican Senatorial Committee believes voters in conservative regions will ultimately reject progressive policies.
Sources checked by our analysis pipeline: 1
📲 Get the latest on the midterms & more in the NPR App
When this election cycle began, Democrats were seen as a longshot to pick up the Senate.
That's because so many seats that are up for election are in red states. But as the year has gone on and the war in Iran has continued, the field has widened considerably.
Polling, ad money and candidate and surrogate travel have all indicated competitive races in places Trump won by double digits in 2024. Alaska, Iowa, Kansas, Ohio and Texas are all considered Toss Ups, according to the Cook Political Report.
"I'm very energized," said Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, D-N.Y., chairwoman of the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee, which is charged with trying to elect Democrats to the Senate. "We have so many candidates running in so many deep red and purple places, and they are winning, and it is exciting. People want change, and we have so much talent on the field right now. I feel very inspired."
The races in all of these competitive states where Trump won are within…
Arnon Nampa received an additional sentence alongside four co-defendants over a demonstration that scrutinized the royal family's financial holdings. Defense counsel argued the ruling demonstrates how Thailand's strict lese majeste statutes continue to be leveraged politically against critics. The cumulative penalty highlights the ongoing judicial repercussions faced by key figures from the mass youth-led reform movement that emerged four years ago.
Early morning military operations targeted an area under Palestinian Authority control in eastern Nablus, according to official Palestinian reporting. Troops pushed into the historic shrine before fanning out into neighboring communities. The incursions disrupted local residents as soldiers forcefully entered and ransacked private properties across several surrounding villages.
Discontent over strained public services and housing has rapidly unified diverse groups of citizens against European leadership ahead of critical political contests. The escalating demonstrations have triggered major economic disruptions, property destruction, and sustained union mobilization, particularly in France. As national administrations attempt policy concessions, public skepticism remains widespread, leaving officials facing continued nationwide strikes and deep institutional divisions.