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The 2026 United States Senate elections are scheduled to be held on November 3, 2026, with 33 of the 100 seats in the Senate being contested in regular elections, the winners of which will serve six-year terms in the United States Congress from January 3, 2027, to January 3, 2033. Senators are divided into three groups, or classes, whose terms are staggered so that a different class is elected every two years. Class 2 senators were last elected in 2020 and will be up for election in this cycle.

Quick Facts 34 of the 100 seats in the United States Senate 51 seats needed for a majority, Leader ...
2026 United States Senate elections

 2024 November 3, 2026 2028 

34[a] of the 100 seats in the United States Senate
51 seats needed for a majority
  Thumb Thumb
Leader John Thune Chuck Schumer
Party Republican Democratic
Leader since January 3, 2025 January 3, 2017
Leader's seat South Dakota New York
Current seats 53[b] 45[b][c]
Seats needed Steady Increase 4
Seats up 20[b] 13[b]

 
Party Independent
Current seats 2[b][c]
Seats up 0[b]

Thumb
Map of the incumbents:
     Democratic incumbent
     Republican incumbent
     No election
     Incumbent TBD

Incumbent Majority Leader

John Thune
Republican



Close

A special election in Ohio will be held to fill the remaining two years of JD Vance's term following his election to the vice presidency. In Florida, one may also be held to fill the remaining two years of Marco Rubio's term should his nomination as the United States Secretary of State be confirmed. With the election of John Thune as leader of the Republican Conference, this will be the first election year since 2006 in which the Republicans will not be led by Mitch McConnell.

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Partisan composition

All 33 Class 2 Senate seats and two Class 3 seats are up for election in 2026; Class 2 currently consists of 20 Republicans and 13 Democrats. If vacancies occur in Class 1 or Class 3 Senate seats, that state might require a special election to take place during the 119th Congress, possibly concurrently with the other 2026 Senate elections.

There are two seats being defended by Democrats in states won by Donald Trump in 2024 (in both cases, by less than three percentage points): Michigan, where the incumbent is Gary Peters; and Georgia, where the incumbent is Jon Ossoff. Michigan elected Democrat Elissa Slotkin to the Senate in 2024 by 0.3 points; Georgia did not have a Senate election in 2024, although in the most recent Senate election in 2022, Democrat Raphael Warnock won by 3 points.[1]

There are five incumbent Democratic senators that represent states won by Kamala Harris by single-digit margins in 2024: New Hampshire's Jeanne Shaheen, Minnesota's Tina Smith, Virginia's Mark Warner, New Jersey's Cory Booker, and New Mexico's Ben Ray Luján.

There is one seat with a Republican incumbent in a state won by Kamala Harris in 2024: Maine, where Senator Susan Collins was re-elected to a fifth term in 2020; Angus King, an independent, was re-elected by 17 points. One Republican, Senator Thom Tillis of North Carolina, is up for re-election in a state won by Trump by a single-digit margin.

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Change in composition

Each block represents one of the one hundred seats in the U.S. Senate. "D#" is a Democratic senator, "I#" is an Independent senator, and "R#" is a Republican senator. They are arranged so that the parties are separated and a majority is clear by crossing the middle.

Before the elections

Each block indicates an incumbent senator's actions going into the election.

D1 D2 D3 D4 D5 D6 D7 D8 D9 D10
D20 D19 D18 D17 D16 D15 D14 D13 D12 D11
D21 D22 D23 D24 D25 D26 D27 D28 D29 D30
D40
N.H.
Undeclared
D39
Minn.
Running
D38
Mich.
Undeclared
D37
Mass.
Running
D36
Ill.
Undeclared
D35
Ga.
Running
D34
Del.
Undeclared
D33
Colo.
Running
D32 D31
D41
N.J.
Running
D42
N.M.
Undeclared
D43
Ore.
Running
D44
R.I.
Running
D45
Va.
Undeclared
I1 I2 To be appointed Ohio (sp.)
R52
Wyo.
Undeclared
R51
W.Va.
Undeclared
Majority →
R41
Maine
Running
R42
Miss.
Running
R43
Mont.
Undeclared
R44
Neb.
Running
R45
N.C.
Running
R46
Okla.
Undeclared
R47
S.C.
Undeclared
R48
S.D.
Undeclared
R49
Tenn.
Undeclared
R50
Texas
Running
R40
La.
Running
R39
Ky.
Undeclared
R38
Kan.
Undeclared
R37
Iowa
Running
R36
Idaho
Undeclared
R35
Ark.
Undeclared
R34
Alaska
Undeclared
R33
Ala.
Running
R32 R31
R21 R22 R23 R24 R25 R26 R27 R28 R29 R30
R20 R19 R18 R17 R16 R15 R14 R13 R12 R11
R1 R2 R3 R4 R5 R6 R7 R8 R9 R10

After the elections

D1 D2 D3 D4 D5 D6 D7 D8 D9 D10
D20 D19 D18 D17 D16 D15 D14 D13 D12 D11
D21 D22 D23 D24 D25 D26 D27 D28 D29 D30
Ga.
TBD
Del.
TBD
Colo.
TBD
Ark.
TBD
Alaska
TBD
Ala.
TBD
I2 I1 D32 D31
Idaho
TBD
Ill.
TBD
Iowa
TBD
Kan.
TBD
Ky.
TBD
La.
TBD
Maine
TBD
Mass.
TBD
Mich.
TBD
Minn.
TBD
Majority TBD →
Ore.
TBD
Okla.
TBD
Ohio (sp.)
TBD
N.C.
TBD
N.M.
TBD
N.J.
TBD
N.H.
TBD
Neb.
TBD
Mont.
TBD
Miss.
TBD
R.I.
TBD
S.C.
TBD
S.D.
TBD
Tenn.
TBD
Texas
TBD
Va.
TBD
W.Va.
TBD
Wyo.
TBD
R32 R31
R21 R22 R23 R24 R25 R26 R27 R28 R29 R30
R20 R19 R18 R17 R16 R15 R14 R13 R12 R11
R1 R2 R3 R4 R5 R6 R7 R8 R9 R10
More information Key ...
Key
D# Democratic
R# Republican
I# Independent, caucusing with Democrats
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Retirements

No senators have announced plans for retirement in 2026.

Race summary

Special elections during the preceding Congress

In each special election, the winner's term begins immediately after their election is certified by their state's government.

Elections are sorted by date then state.

More information Constituency, Incumbent ...
Constituency Incumbent Status Candidates
State PVI[2] Senator Party Electoral history
Ohio
(Class 3)
R+6 TBD TBD TBD (appointed) Interim appointee's intent unknown
TBD
Close

Elections leading to the next Congress

In these general elections, the winners will be elected for the term beginning January 3, 2027.

More information Constituency, Incumbent ...
Constituency Incumbent Results Candidates
State
(linked to
summaries below)
PVI[3] Senator Party Electoral history Last race
Alabama R+15 Tommy Tuberville Republican 2020 60.1% R Incumbent running
Alaska R+8 Dan Sullivan Republican 2014
2020
53.9% R Incumbent's intent unknown
  • TBD
Arkansas R+16 Tom Cotton Republican 2014
2020
66.5% R Incumbent's intent unknown
  • TBD
Colorado D+4 John Hickenlooper Democratic 2020 53.5% D Incumbent running
Delaware D+7 Chris Coons Democratic 2010 (special)
2014
2020
59.4% D Incumbent's intent unknown
  • TBD
Georgia R+3 Jon Ossoff Democratic 2021 50.6% D Incumbent running
Idaho R+18 Jim Risch Republican 2008
2014
2020
62.6% R Incumbent's intent unknown
  • TBD
Illinois D+7 Dick Durbin Democratic 1996
2002
2008
2014
2020
54.9% D Incumbent's intent unknown
  • TBD
Iowa R+6 Joni Ernst Republican 2014
2020
51.8% R Incumbent running
Kansas R+10 Roger Marshall Republican 2020 53.2% R Incumbent's intent unknown
  • TBD
Kentucky R+16 Mitch McConnell Republican 1984
1990
1996
2002
2008
2014
2020
57.8% R Incumbent's intent unknown
  • TBD
Louisiana R+12 Bill Cassidy Republican 2014
2020
59.3% R Incumbent running
Maine D+2 Susan Collins Republican 1996
2002
2008
2014
2020
51.0% R Incumbent running
Massachusetts D+15 Ed Markey Democratic 2013 (special)
2014
2020
66.2% D Incumbent running
Michigan R+1 Gary Peters Democratic 2014
2020
49.9% D Incumbent's intent unknown
  • TBD
Minnesota D+1 Tina Smith DFL 2018 (appointed)
2018 (special)
2020
48.7% DFL Incumbent running
Mississippi R+11 Cindy Hyde-Smith Republican 2018 (appointed)
2018 (special)
2020
54.1% R Incumbent running
Montana R+11 Steve Daines Republican 2014
2020
55.0% R Incumbent's intent unknown
Nebraska R+13 Pete Ricketts Republican 2023 (appointed)
2024 (special)
63.1% R[d] Incumbent running
New Hampshire D+1 Jeanne Shaheen Democratic 2008
2014
2020
56.7% D Incumbent's intent unknown
  • TBD
New Jersey D+6 Cory Booker Democratic 2013 (special)
2014
2020
57.2% D Incumbent running
New Mexico D+3 Ben Ray Luján Democratic 2020 51.7% D Incumbent's intent unknown
  • TBD
North Carolina R+3 Thom Tillis Republican 2014
2020
48.7% R Incumbent running
Oklahoma R+20 Markwayne Mullin Republican 2022 (special) 61.9% R[e] Incumbent's intent unknown
  • TBD
Oregon D+6 Jeff Merkley Democratic 2008
2014
2020
56.9% D Incumbent running
Rhode Island D+8 Jack Reed Democratic 1996
2002
2008
2014
2020
66.5% D Incumbent running
South Carolina R+8 Lindsey Graham Republican 2002
2008
2014
2020
54.4% R Incumbent's intent unknown
  • TBD
South Dakota R+16 Mike Rounds Republican 2014
2020
65.7% R Incumbent's intent unknown
  • TBD
Tennessee R+14 Bill Hagerty Republican 2020 62.2% R Incumbent's intent unknown
  • TBD
Texas R+5 John Cornyn Republican 2002
2008
2014
2020
53.5% R Incumbent running
Virginia D+3 Mark Warner Democratic 2008
2014
2020
56.0% D Incumbent's intent unknown
  • TBD
West Virginia R+22 Shelley Moore Capito Republican 2014
2020
70.3% R Incumbent's intent unknown
Wyoming R+25 Cynthia Lummis Republican 2020 73.1% R Incumbent's intent unknown
  • TBD
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Alabama

One-term Republican Tommy Tuberville has stated he plans to seek re-election.[4] He was elected in 2020 with 60.1% of the vote. Former U.S. Senator Doug Jones (2018–2021) is seen as a potential candidate.[23]

Alaska

Two-term Republican Dan Sullivan was re-elected in 2020 with 53.9% of the vote.

Arkansas

Two-term Republican Tom Cotton was re-elected in 2020 with 66.5% of the vote. Democratic activist and candidate for U.S. Senate in 2020 and 2022, Dan Whitfield, has announced his campaign.[24][25]

Colorado

One-term Democrat John Hickenlooper, elected with 53.5% of the vote in 2020, has stated that he plans to run for re-election, and further stated that it will be his last term.[5][26][27]

Delaware

Two-term Democrat Chris Coons was re-elected in 2020 with 59.4% of the vote.

Georgia

One-term Democrat Jon Ossoff is running for a second term in office.[6] He was elected in a 2021 runoff with 50.6% of the vote.

U.S. Representative for Georgia's 1st congressional district Buddy Carter has publicly expressed interest in running.[28][29][30] Outgoing Governor Brian Kemp, who will be term-limited in 2026, is widely seen as a candidate for the Republican nomination.[30] U.S. Representative for Georgia's 14th congressional district Marjorie Taylor Greene is reported to be running for the seat.[31] Lt. Governor Burt Jones,[32] Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger, and former U.S. Senator Kelly Loeffler are also seen as contenders.[33]

Idaho

Three-term Republican Jim Risch was re-elected in 2020 with 62.6% of the vote.

Illinois

Five-term Democrat and Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin was re-elected in 2020 with 54.9% of the vote. Durbin had filed paperwork to run for re-election. Should Durbin be re-elected to a sixth term, he would become the longest serving senator from Illinois, surpassing Senator Shelby M. Cullom, who served five terms before losing the Republican renomination in 1912.

Durbin has stated he will make a decision on whether to retire after the first of the year in 2025.[34] If Durbin retires, U.S. representative for Illinois's 2nd congressional district Robin Kelly, U.S. representative for Illinois's 8th congressional district Raja Krishnamoorthi, and U.S. representative for Illinois's 14th congressional district Lauren Underwood are widely seen as potential Democratic candidates.[29][34] Other potential candidates for the Democratic nomination include Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul, U.S. representative for Illinois's 13th congressional district Nikki Budzinski, Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias, Susana Mendoza, Juliana Stratton, Mike Frerichs[35] and Rahm Emanuel;[36] potential Republican candidates include Darin LaHood.[35]

Iowa

Two-term Republican Joni Ernst was re-elected in 2020 with 51.7% of the vote. She plans to run for a third term.[7] Some have speculated that Ernst could face a primary challenge from the right following her refusal to commit to supporting Pete Hegseth for Secretary of Defense. Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird is viewed as a potential challenger from the right.[37] Talk show host Steve Deace has expressed interest in challenging Ernst for the Republican nomination.[38]

Kansas

One-term Republican Roger Marshall was elected in 2020 with 53.2% of the vote. There was some speculation that Democratic Governor Laura Kelly might run against Marshall, however she has stated that she does not intend to run.[39]

Kentucky

Seven-term Republican and Outgoing Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell was re-elected in 2020 with 57.8% of the vote. McConnell retired as leader after the 2024 elections but says he plans to serve out the remainder of his term, leading to speculation that he may not run for re-election.[40] If McConnell chooses to retire, former Kentucky Attorney General and 2023 Republican gubernatorial nominee Daniel Cameron, as well as Representative Thomas Massie of Kentucky's 4th district, are considered strong contenders for the Republican nomination.[41][42] Other potential Republican candidates include U.S. Representative Andy Barr, Kentucky State Auditor Allison Ball, Kentucky Attorney General Russell Coleman, Kentucky Secretary of State Michael Adams, and former United Nations ambassador and 2023 Republican gubernatorial candidate Kelly Craft. U.S. Representative James Comer has declined to run.[43]

Though there was some speculation that Democratic Governor Andy Beshear might seek the open seat, he has stated he does not intend to run, citing his desire to finish out his second term as governor.[43][44]

Louisiana

Two-term Republican Bill Cassidy was re-elected in 2020 with 59.3% of the vote in the first round of the "Louisiana primary" and is running for re-election to a third term.[9] Louisiana State Treasurer and former U.S. Representative John Fleming has announced his primary campaign against Cassidy.[45]

John Bel Edwards, the former Governor of Louisiana, is a potential Democratic candidate.[46][47] U.S. Representative Clay Higgins is considered a potential Republican challenger.[48]

This will be the first election under a new law which abolished the state's open primary system. Party primaries will be closed off to non-party members, though voters not affiliated with a party can vote in them.[49]

Maine

Five-term Republican Susan Collins was re-elected with 51% of the vote in 2020. She is running for a sixth term.[50] U.S. Representative for Maine's 1st congressional district Chellie Pingree is considering a run for the seat.[29]

Massachusetts

Two-term Democrat Ed Markey was re-elected in 2020 with 66.2% of the vote and is running for re-election to a third full term.[12][51] Markey, the longest-serving Democrat in Congress, would be 80 years old on Election Day and faced multiple calls to step aside due to his age during the primary in 2020; if he were to be re-elected, Markey would be the oldest senator to represent Massachusetts in the history of the Commonwealth.[52][53][54]

Former two-term governor of Massachusetts Charlie Baker, a Republican, is considering a run for the seat.[55][56][57][58]

Michigan

Two-term Democrat Gary Peters was re-elected in 2020 with 49.9% of the vote.

Minnesota

One-term Democrat Tina Smith was re-elected in 2020 with 48.7% of the vote after being appointed by the governor in 2018 and subsequently winning a special election that same year.

2024 Republican U.S. Senate nominee Royce White has announced his candidacy.[14]

Mississippi

One-term Republican Cindy Hyde-Smith was re-elected in 2020 with 54.1% of the vote after being appointed in 2018 and subsequently winning a special election that same year. She is running for a second full term in office.[15]

Montana

Two-term Republican Steve Daines was re-elected in 2020 with 55% of the vote.

Former Representative from the Montana House of Representatives Reilly Neill is running for the Democratic nomination.[16]

Nebraska

Two-term Republican Ben Sasse resigned early in the 118th Congress to become president of the University of Florida.[59] Former Governor Pete Ricketts was appointed as interim senator on January 12, 2023, by Governor Jim Pillen.[60] He won the 2024 special election to serve the remainder of Sasse's term, defeating Preston Love, Jr.[61] Ricketts is running for re-election to his first full term.[17] 2024 Nebraska Independent candidate for senate Dan Osborn who challenged incumbent Deb Fischer is a potential candidate.[62]

New Hampshire

Three-term Democrat Jeanne Shaheen was re-elected in 2020 with 56.6% of the vote. Former United States senator from Massachusetts and U.S. Ambassador to New Zealand and Samoa (2017–2020) Scott Brown is considering a run for the seat; Brown won the Republican primary and lost the general election against Shaheen in 2014.[63][64]

New Jersey

Two-term Democrat Cory Booker was re-elected in 2020 with 57.2% of the vote and is running for re-election to a third full term.[18]

New Mexico

One-term Democrat Ben Ray Luján was elected in 2020 with 51.7% of the vote.

North Carolina

Two-term Republican Thom Tillis was re-elected in 2020 with 48.7% of the vote. On June 10, 2023, the North Carolina Republican Party censured Tillis over his bipartisan support on gun control and same-sex marriage and he is seen as especially vulnerable to a primary challenge.[65] Lara Trump, a Wilmington native who recently stepped down from her post as co-chair of the Republican National Committee, took her name out of consideration for Florida’s soon-to-be-vacant Senate seat and said that she would make a “big announcement” in January prompting speculation about her intentions to run for this seat.[66]

Outgoing U.S. Representative Wiley Nickel and outgoing governor Roy Cooper are considered potential Democratic candidates.[67][68] In July 2024, after reporting that the Kamala Harris presidential campaign might select him as vice presidential nominee, Cooper publicly withdrew himself from consideration, furthering speculation that he may be planning to run for the Senate.[69] Although Mark Robinson is considered a potential candidate to primary Thom Tillis, he has said that running for a future political office is 'not on my radar at all'.[70]

Ohio (special)

One-term Republican JD Vance was elected in 2022 with 53% of the vote. He was elected as Vice President of the United States under President-elect Donald Trump in 2024, meaning he will resign his Senate seat before his term expires and Governor Mike DeWine will appoint an interim successor.[71]

Billionaire co-head of the newly established Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) Vivek Ramaswamy withdrew himself from consideration for the pending Senate appointment; however, his work with the government efficiency commission will end on July 4, 2026, leading to speculation he could be a candidate for the special election if Governor DeWine's appointee forgoes running to hold the seat for the last two years of Vance's term, which expires at noon on January 3, 2029.[72][73]

Former U.S. Representative for Ohio's 13th congressional district and previous Democratic nominee for the seat in 2022 Tim Ryan and outgoing senior senator from Ohio Sherrod Brown have expressed interest in running for the seat.[72][74] U.S. Representative for Ohio's 1st congressional district Greg Landsman has expressed interest in running for the seat if Sherrod Brown does not run.[29]

Oklahoma

Incumbent Markwayne Mullin won a special election in 2022 with 61.8% of the vote to complete the remainder of the term vacated by Republican Jim Inhofe, who resigned on January 3, 2023.[75]

Oregon

Three-term Democrat Jeff Merkley was re-elected in 2020 with 56.9% of the vote and is running for re-election to a fourth term.

Rhode Island

Five-term Democrat Jack Reed was re-elected in 2020 with 66.5% of the vote. He is running for re-election to a sixth term.[20]

South Carolina

Four-term Republican Lindsey Graham was re-elected in 2020 with 54.4% of the vote. U.S. Representative Ralph Norman has been named as a potential challenger for Graham in the Republican primary.[76] Democratic activist, author, and candidate for U.S. Senate in 2022, Catherine Fleming Bruce, has filed to run.[77]

South Dakota

Two-term Republican Mike Rounds was re-elected in 2020 with 65.7% of the vote.

Tennessee

One-term Republican Bill Hagerty was elected in 2020 with 62.2% of the vote.

Texas

Four-term Republican John Cornyn was re-elected in 2020 with 53.5% of the vote and is running for a 5th term in 2026.[21] Republican U.S. Representative Ronny Jackson and Republican Attorney General Ken Paxton have expressed interest in running.[78][79][80] U.S. Representative for Texas's 24th congressional district Beth Van Duyne and Texas Land Commissioner Dawn Buckingham are seen as potential Republican candidates if Cornyn retires.[80]

Virginia

Three-term Democrat Mark Warner was re-elected in 2020 with 56% of the vote. Governor Glenn Youngkin, who will leave office in early 2026, is considered a potential candidate for Republicans.[81][82]

West Virginia

Two-term Republican Shelley Moore Capito was re-elected in 2020 with 70.3% of the vote. Former State Delegate Derrick Evans, who participated in the January 6 United States Capitol attack, has announced his campaign to primary Capito.[83]

Wyoming

One-term Republican Cynthia Lummis was elected in 2020 with 73.1% of the vote.

See also

Notes

  1. A special election in Florida to be determined, if the appointment to the Florida seat vacated by Marco Rubio to be confirmed by the Senate.
  2. The appointment to the Ohio seat vacated by JD Vance is unknown.
  3. Both independent senators (Bernie Sanders of Vermont, and Angus King of Maine) caucus with the Senate Democrats.
  4. Republican Ben Sasse won with 67.2% of the vote in 2020, but resigned January 8, 2023, to be president of the University of Florida.
  5. Republican Jim Inhofe won with 62.9% of the vote in 2020, but resigned at the end of the 117th United States Congress.

References

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