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2026 United States Senate elections
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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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.
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Two special elections will be held: one in Ohio to fill the remaining two years of JD Vance's term following his election to the vice presidency and one in Florida to fill the remaining two years of Marco Rubio's term after his nomination as the United States Secretary of State was 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 are not led by Mitch McConnell, who is retiring at the end of his term.
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Partisan composition
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All 33 Class 2 Senate seats and 2 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 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 incumbent Gary Peters will not be running for re-election; and Georgia, where the incumbent is Jon Ossoff. Michigan elected Democrat Elissa Slotkin to the Senate in 2024 by 0.3 percentage points; Georgia did not have a Senate election in 2024, although in the most recent Senate election in 2022, Democrat Raphael Warnock won by three points in a runoff.[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. Shaheen and Smith will not be running for re-election.
The seat in Maine held by Susan Collins is the only seat being defended by a Republican in a state that was carried by Kamala Harris in 2024. In Maine's Senate election in 2024, Angus King, an independent who caucuses with Democrats, was reelected by 17 points.[needs context] One Republican, Thom Tillis of North Carolina, is up for re-election in a state won by Trump by a single-digit margin. Tillis beat the last Democrat to win a Senate race in North Carolina, Kay Hagan, in 2014.
This map is considered favorable to Republicans. This follows a 2024 map that was also considered favorable to their party. In this cycle Democrats are defending 13 seats, while Republicans are defending 22 seats. However, the makeup of the seats up for re-election mean that Republicans remain favored to retain their Senate majority.[2][3][4]
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Change in composition
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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 Ore. Undeclared |
D39 Del. Undeclared |
D38 R.I. Running |
D37 N.M. Running |
D36 N.J. Running |
D35 Mass. Running |
D34 Ga. Running |
D33 Colo. Running |
D32 | D31 |
| D41 Va. Undeclared |
D42 Ill. Retiring |
D43 Mich. Retiring |
D44 Minn. Retiring |
D45 N.H. Retiring |
I1 | I2 | R53 Ky. Retiring |
R52 Wyo. Undeclared |
R51 W.Va. Undeclared |
| Majority → | R50 S.D. Undeclared | ||||||||
| R41 N.C. Running |
R42 Ohio (sp.) Running |
R43 S.C. Running |
R44 Tenn. Running |
R45 Texas Running |
R46 Alaska Undeclared |
R47 Kan. Undeclared |
R48 Mont. Undeclared |
R49 Okla. Undeclared | |
| R40 Neb. Running |
R39 Miss. Running |
R38 Maine Running |
R37 La. Running |
R36 Iowa Running |
R35 Idaho Running |
R34 Fla. (sp.) Running |
R33 Ark. Running |
R32 Ala. Running |
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 |
| Fla. (sp.) TBD |
Del. TBD |
Colo. TBD |
Ark. TBD |
Alaska TBD |
Ala. TBD |
I2 | I1 | D32 | D31 |
| Ga. TBD |
Idaho TBD |
Ill. TBD |
Iowa TBD |
Kan. TBD |
Ky. TBD |
La. TBD |
Maine TBD |
Mass. TBD |
Mich. TBD |
| Majority TBD → | |||||||||
| Minn. 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 |
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 |
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Retirements
As of May 2025, five senators, four Democrats and one Republican, have announced their retirements.
Predictions
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Several sites and individuals published predictions of competitive seats. These predictions looked at factors such as the strength of the incumbent (if the incumbent was running for reelection) and the other candidates, and the state's partisan lean (reflected in part by the state's Cook Partisan Voting Index rating). The predictions assigned ratings to each seat, indicating the predicted advantage that a party had in winning that seat. Most election predictors used:
- "tossup" or "battleground": no advantage
- "tilt" (used by some predictors): advantage that is not quite as strong as "lean"
- "lean": slight advantage
- "likely": significant, but surmountable, advantage
- "safe" or "solid": near-certain chance of victory
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Race summary
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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.
Elections leading to the next Congress
In these general elections, the winners will be elected for the term beginning January 3, 2027.
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Alabama
One-term Republican Tommy Tuberville has stated he plans to seek re-election.[22] He was elected in 2020 with 60.1% of the vote, but he also expressed some interest in running for Governor of Alabama with a final decision expected in May.[82] If he decides against running for re-election, potential Republican candidates include state Attorney General Steve Marshall, state Public Service Commissioner Twinkle Cavanaugh, businesswoman Jessica Taylor,[83] and former Congressman from Alabama’s 5th District Mo Brooks, who was also a candidate for Alabama’s other U.S. Senate seat in 2022.[84]
On the Democratic side, small business owners Dakarai Larriett and Kyle Sweetser have each announced campaigns.[20][21] Sweetser, a former Republican, also spoke at the 2024 Democratic National Convention. Former U.S. Senator from this seat Doug Jones (2018–2021), who was defeated for re-election by Tuberville in 2020, is seen as a potential Democratic candidate.[85]
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Alaska
Two-term Republican Dan Sullivan was reelected in 2020 with 53.9% of the vote. Despite filing paperwork to run for her old seat,[86] former Democratic Congresswoman Mary Peltola has also expressed interest in running for the Senate.[87][88] Former state senator Tom Begich has also been mentioned as a potential candidate for the Democrats.[89]
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Arkansas
Two-term Republican Tom Cotton was reelected in 2020 with 66.5% of the vote. Cotton is running for re-election. Democratic activist and candidate for U.S. Senate in 2020 and 2022, Dan Whitfield, has announced his campaign.[90][91]
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.[26][92][93]
Delaware
Three-term Democrat Chris Coons was reelected in 2020 with 59.4% of the vote.
Florida (special)
Three-term Republican Marco Rubio was reelected in 2022 with 57.68% of the vote. He resigned on January 20, 2025, following his confirmation as United States Secretary of State. Governor Ron DeSantis announced he would appoint state Attorney General Ashley Moody as an interim successor to serve until the vacancy is filled by a special election in 2026.[94] Moody has announced her candidacy for the special election to finish Rubio's term.[17]
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Georgia
One-term Democrat Jon Ossoff is running for a second term in office.[30] He was narrowly elected in a 2021 runoff with 50.6% of the vote.
Congressman for the 1st congressional district Buddy Carter has announced his candidacy as a Republican,[95] as has state Insurance Commissioner John F. King.[29] Lieutenant Governor Burt Jones[96] and Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger are also seen as potential Republican contenders.[97]
Outgoing Governor Brian Kemp, who will be term-limited in 2026, was widely seen as a potential candidate for the Republican nomination but has since declined to run.[98] Congresswoman for the 14th congressional district Marjorie Taylor Greene was reported to be considering running for the seat, but declined to run on May 9, 2025.[99]
Idaho
Three-term Republican Jim Risch was reelected in 2020 with 62.6% of the vote. He is running for a fourth term.[31]
Illinois
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Five-term Democrat and Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin was reelected in 2020 with 54.9% of the vote. On April 23, 2025, Durbin announced he will not be running for reelection.[100] On April 24, 2025, Lieutenant Governor Juliana Stratton became the first major Democratic candidate to announce her intention to run to replace Durbin.[34] On May 6, 2025, Congresswoman Robin Kelly of the 2nd congressional district announced that she would be a candidate.[101] On May 7, 2025, Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi of the 8th congressional district announced his candidacy.[102]
Congresswomen Nikki Budzinski of the 13th congressional district and Lauren Underwood of the 14th congressional district are widely seen as potential Democratic candidates.[103][104] Other potential candidates for the Democratic nomination include state Attorney General Kwame Raoul, Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias, state Comptroller Susana Mendoza, state Treasurer Mike Frerichs[105] and former Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel.[106]
On April 25, 2025, Governor J. B. Pritzker announced that he would not be a candidate and endorsed Stratton.[107]
Among Republicans, former police officer John Goodman has announced his candidacy.[108] Potential Republican candidates include Congressman Darin LaHood[105] and state Representative Tom Demmer.[109]
Iowa
Two-term Republican Joni Ernst was reelected in 2020 with 51.7% of the vote. She plans to run for a third term.[35] State Attorney General Brenna Bird is viewed as a potential challenger from the right.[110] Talk show host Steve Deace has expressed interest in challenging Ernst for the Republican nomination.[111]
In April 2025, Democratic state Senator Zach Wahls, as well as state Representatives J.D. Scholten and Josh Turek all told the Des Moines Register that they were considering running against Ernst.[112]
Kansas
One-term Republican Roger Marshall was elected in 2020 with 53.2% of the vote.
There was some speculation that outgoing Governor Laura Kelly might run against Marshall; however, she has stated that she does not intend to run.[113]
Kentucky
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Seven-term Republican and former Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell was reelected in 2020 with 57.8% of the vote. McConnell retired as leader after the 2024 elections with plans to serve out the remainder of his term.[114] On February 20, 2025, McConnell announced he will not seek re-election.[6]
On February 20, 2025, former state Attorney General and 2023 Republican gubernatorial nominee Daniel Cameron and Congressman Andy Barr of Kentucky's 6th congressional district[115] announced that they are running to succeed McConnell. Other potential Republican candidates include state Auditor Allison Ball, state Attorney General Russell Coleman, Secretary of State Michael Adams, former United Nations Ambassador and 2023 Republican gubernatorial candidate Kelly Craft, and businessman Nate Morris. Congressman James Comer of Kentucky’s 1st congressional district has declined to run.[116]
Democratic state Representative Pamela Stevenson declared her candidacy in his seat.[117] 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 his second term as governor.[116][118]
Louisiana
Two-term Republican Bill Cassidy was reelected 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.[41] Louisiana State Treasurer and former Congressman John Fleming has announced his primary campaign against Cassidy.[42] Congressman Clay Higgins is considered a potential Republican challenger.[119]
Former Governor John Bel Edwards is considered a potential Democratic candidate.[120][121]
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.[122]
Maine
Five-term Republican Susan Collins was reelected with 51% of the vote in 2020. She is running for a sixth term. Should Collins be reelected and serve through May 26, 2027, she would become the longest-serving senator from Maine, surpassing Senator William P. Frye, who served one partial term, four full terms, and another partial term before he died in 1911.[123]
Collins is being challenged in the Republican primary by former police officer Dan Smeriglio.[46]
On the Democratic side, Lewiston native Jordan Wood, the Chief of Staff to former Congresswoman Katie Porter of California, has announced a campaign.[47] Congresswoman Chellie Pingree,[103] Governor Janet Mills, who is term-limited,[124] and Congressman Jared Golden[125] are potential candidates.
Massachusetts
Two-term Democrat Ed Markey was reelected in 2020 with 66.2% of the vote and is running for re-election to a third full term.[48][126] Markey, the longest-serving Democrat in Congress, would be 80 years old on Election Day. Markey faced multiple calls to step aside due to his age during the Democratic primary for the seat in 2020.[127][128][129] Congressman Jake Auchincloss of the 4th congressional district has not ruled out challenging Markey in the Democratic primary.[130]
Among Republicans, state Representative Michael Soter is a potential candidate.[131]
Michigan
Two-term Democrat Gary Peters was narrowly reelected in 2020 with 49.9% of the vote. On January 28, 2025, he announced that he will not seek re-election.[7]
State Senator Mallory McMorrow,[50] former Wayne County Health, Human, and Veterans Services Department Director Abdul El-Sayed,[49] Congresswoman Haley Stevens of the 11th congressional district,[52] and State House Speaker Joe Tate[132] have announced their candidacies. State Attorney General Dana Nessel may also choose to run.[133] On March 25, 2025, Congresswoman Hillary Scholten announced that she would not be a candidate.[134]
For the Republicans, Congressman Mike Rogers, former U.S. Representative for the 8th congressional district the Republican nominee for U.S. Senate in 2024, has announced his candidacy.[51] Potential Republican candidates include 2022 Republican gubernatorial nominee Tudor Dixon,[135] Congressman Bill Huizenga, and state senator Jonathan Lindsey.[136]
Minnesota
One-term Democrat Tina Smith was reelected in 2020 with 48.7% of the vote after being appointed by Governor Mark Dayton in 2018 following the resignation of Al Franken and subsequently winning a special election that same year. On February 13, 2025, she announced she would not be seeking a second full term in the 2026 Senate election.[8] Incumbent Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan announced her candidacy the same day.[137] Congresswoman Angie Craig announced her candidacy on April 29, 2025.[138]
2024 Republican U.S. Senate nominee Royce White[139] and former Navy SEAL Adam Schwarze have announced their candidacies.[140] Potential Republican candidates include sportscaster Michele Tafoya,[141] state senator Julia Coleman, state senator Karin Housley,[142] state representative Kristin Robbins,[143] and attorney Ryan Wilson, who ran for Minnesota State Auditor in 2022.[144]
Mississippi
One-term Republican Cindy Hyde-Smith was reelected 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.[58]
Among Democrats, attorney Ty Pinkins has announced his candiacy.[145] Lowndes County District Attorney Scott Colom is a possible candidate.[146]
Montana
Two-term Republican Steve Daines was reelected in 2020 with 55% of the vote.
Former state Representative Reilly Neill is running for the Democratic nomination.[60] Former Democratic U.S. Senator Jon Tester, who was defeated in 2024, has not ruled out running for political office again.[147]
Nebraska
Two-term Republican Ben Sasse resigned early in the 118th Congress to become president of the University of Florida.[148] Former Governor Pete Ricketts was appointed as interim senator on January 12, 2023, by Governor Jim Pillen.[149] He won the 2024 special election to serve the remainder of Sasse's term, defeating college professor Preston Love Jr.[150] Ricketts is running for re-election to his first full term.[61]
Former labor union leader and independent Dan Osborn, who challenged Republican Deb Fischer in the election for Nebraska's Class I seat, has formed an exploratory committee.[151]
New Hampshire
Three-term Democrat Jeanne Shaheen was reelected in 2020 with 56.6% of the vote. On March 12, 2025, Shaheen announced that she would not seek re-election to a fourth term.[9]
Congressman Chris Pappas declared his candidacy on April 3, 2025, becoming the first major candidate to the enter the race.[152]
Former United States Senator from Massachusetts (2010–2013) 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 narrowly lost the general election against Shaheen in 2014.[153][154] Former Governor Chris Sununu was considered a possible candidate; however, he announced that he would not run for the seat on April 8, 2025.[155][156]
New Jersey
Two-term Democrat Cory Booker was reelected in 2020 with 57.2% of the vote and is running for re-election to a third full term.[63]
New Mexico
One-term Democrat Ben Ray Luján was elected in 2020 with 51.7% of the vote. On April 23, 2025, Luján announced that he would seek a second term.[157]
Hedge fund manager Nella Domenici, who was the Republican nominee in the 2024 U.S. Senate election, has declined to run.[158]
North Carolina
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Two-term Republican Thom Tillis was narrowly reelected in 2020 with 48.7% of the vote, and is running for a third term. 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 vulnerable to a primary challenge.[159] Lara Trump, former co-chair of the Republican National Committee and Wilmington native, was considered as a potential candidate to challenge Tillis in December 2024, after publicly withdrawing from consideration to be appointed for Florida's Senate seat, she stated she would make a "big announcement" in January, but has yet to announce anything regarding a possible candidacy.[160] Although former Lieutenant Governor and 2024 Republican gubernatorial nominee Mark Robinson has been considered a potential candidate to challenge Tillis in the primary, he has said that running for a future political office is "not on [his] radar at all."[161]
On the Democratic side, former Congressman Wiley Nickel has declared his candidacy.[162] Former Governor Roy Cooper has publicly expressed his interest in running for the Democratic nomination.[163][164] In July 2024, after reporting suggested that the Kamala Harris presidential campaign might select him as the Vice Presidential nominee, Cooper publicly withdrew himself from consideration, furthering speculation that he may be planning to run for the Senate.[165]
Ohio (special)
One-term Republican JD Vance was elected in 2022 with 53% of the vote.[166] On January 10, 2025, he resigned from the Senate following his election as Vice President of the United States alongside then-former President Donald Trump in 2024. Governor Mike DeWine announced Vance's replacement in the Senate would be then-Lieutenant Governor Jon Husted on January 17.[167] Husted is running to finish out the remainder of Vance’s six year term.
Vivek Ramaswamy first withdrew himself from consideration for the pending Senate appointment, then later declared his candidacy in the 2026 Ohio gubernatorial election.[168][169][170]
On the Democratic side, former U.S. Senator Sherrod Brown (2007-2025), who was unseated in 2024, has expressed interest in running for the seat.[168][171]
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.[172]
Oregon
Three-term Democrat Jeff Merkley was reelected in 2020 with 56.9% of the vote.
Restaurant owner Timothy Skelton has announced his candidacy as a Republican.[173]
Rhode Island
Five-term Democrat Jack Reed was reelected in 2020 with 66.5% of the vote. He is running for re-election to a sixth term.[70]
South Carolina
Four-term Republican Lindsey Graham was reelected in 2020 with 54.4% of the vote. He is running for re-election to a fifth term.[71] U.S. Representatives Nancy Mace and Ralph Norman have been named as potential challengers for Graham in the Republican primary.[174] Catherine Fleming Bruce, Democratic activist, author, and candidate for U.S. Senate in 2022, has filed to run.[175]
South Dakota
Two-term Republican Mike Rounds was reelected in 2020 with 65.7% of the vote. He has not yet said if he will run for re-election, but has publicly expressed interest in doing so.[176]
Tennessee
One-term Republican Bill Hagerty was elected in 2020 with 62.2% of the vote. He is running for re-election to a second term in office.[77]
Texas
Four-term Republican John Cornyn was reelected in 2020 with 53.5% of the vote and is running for a fifth term in 2026.[177] He faces Republican state Attorney General Ken Paxton.[178] Republican Congressman Ronny Jackson has been interested in running.[179] Congresswoman for Texas's 24th congressional district Beth Van Duyne and state Land Commissioner Dawn Buckingham are seen as potential Republican candidates if Cornyn retires.[177]
Among Democrats, former Congressman Colin Allred (who ran unsuccessfully for the Class I Senate seat in 2024) has expressed interest in running.[180] In recent remarks, former Congressman Beto O'Rourke didn't rule out running.[181]
Virginia
Three-term Democrat Mark Warner was reelected in 2020 with 56% of the vote.
Governor Glenn Youngkin, who will leave office in early 2026, is considered a potential candidate for Republicans.[182][183]
West Virginia
Two-term Republican Shelley Moore Capito was reelected 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.[184]
Former U.S. Senator Joe Manchin, who served from 2010 to 2024 as a Democrat and from 2024 to 2025 as an Independent, and was widely floated as a potential presidential nominee for the No Labels Presidential ticket in 2024, has not ruled out a run for office in 2026.[185]
Wyoming
One-term Republican Cynthia Lummis was elected in 2020 with 72.8% of the vote.
See also
Notes
- Majority control in an evenly divided Senate is determined by the Vice President of the United States, who has the power to break tied votes in their constitutional capacity as President of the Senate; accordingly, Senate control requires 51 seats or 50 seats with control of the vice presidency.
- Both independent senators (Bernie Sanders of Vermont, and Angus King of Maine) caucus with the Democrats.
- The last elections for this group of senators were in 2020, except for those elected in a special election or who were appointed after the resignation or death of a sitting senator, as noted.
- Republican Marco Rubio won with 57.7% of the vote in 2022, but resigned on January 20, 2025, after being confirmed to become Secretary of State.
- Republican Ben Sasse won with 67.2% of the vote in 2020, but resigned on January 8, 2023, to be president of the University of Florida.
- Republican JD Vance won with 53.0% of the vote in 2022, but resigned on January 10, 2025, to become Vice President of the United States.
- Republican Jim Inhofe won with 62.9% of the vote in 2020, but resigned at the end of the 117th United States Congress.
- Democratic total includes Independents who caucus with the Democrats.
References
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