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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. In these elections, voters will elect candidates to six-year terms that begin on January 3, 2027 and expire on 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.
Two special elections are also scheduled for November 3, 2026, one in Ohio to fill the remaining two years of former Senator JD Vance's term following his election to the vice presidency, and one in Florida to fill the remaining two years of former Senator Marco Rubio's term after he resigned in 2025 to become United States Secretary of State. 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.
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Partisan composition
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This section needs additional citations for verification. (August 2025) |
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 3 Senate seats, additional special elections could be scheduled for November 3, 2026.
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 is not running for reelection; 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][2]
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 reelection.
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, having first been elected in 2012 and reelected in 2018.[needs context] One Republican, Thom Tillis of North Carolina, is retiring 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.
The 2026 Senate map is considered favorable to Republicans. In this cycle, Democrats are defending 13 seats, while Republicans are defending 22 seats, but the makeup of the seats up for reelection means that Republicans remain heavily favored to retain their Senate majority, with only two Republican seats considered competitive by most rating groups. Democrats need to flip a minimum of four to win a majority. Furthermore, two to four Democratic-held Senate seats are considered vulnerable.[3][4][5] But by mid-2025, with Democrats landing their preferred recruits for potentially competitive races and the national environment changing, it was reported that the Senate map was looking better for Democrats.[6]
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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 Va. Running |
D39 R.I. Running |
D38 Ore. Running |
D37 N.M. Running |
D36 N.J. Running |
D35 Mass. Running |
D34 Ga. Running |
D33 Colo. Running |
D32 | D31 |
D41 Del. Undeclared |
D42 Ill. Retiring |
D43 Mich. Retiring |
D44 Minn. Retiring |
D45 N.H. Retiring |
I1 | I2 | R53 N.C. Retiring |
R52 Ky. Retiring |
R51 Ala. Retiring |
Majority → | R50 Wyo. Undeclared | ||||||||
R41 Tenn. Running |
R42 Texas Running |
R43 Iowa Undeclared |
R44 Kan. Undeclared |
R45 Maine Undeclared |
R46 Mont. Undeclared |
R47 Okla. Undeclared |
R48 S.D. Undeclared |
R49 W.Va. Undeclared | |
R40 S.C. Running |
R39 Ohio (sp.) Running |
R38 Neb. Running |
R37 Miss. Running |
R36 La. Running |
R35 Idaho Running |
R34 Fla. (sp.) Running |
R33 Ark. Running |
R32 Alaska 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
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As of August 2025, seven senators, four Democrats and three Republicans, 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": 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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Polls
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Potentially competitive seats
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These are seats which polling and predictions currently have listed as being at least somewhat close.
Republican incumbents
Two of the four Senate races expected to be the most competitive feature Republican incumbents in Maine (Susan Collins) and North Carolina (Thom Tillis).[19] Maine's 2026 race is regarded as being competitive due to the state's blue lean; however, Susan Collins has been able to keep her seat through cycles favorable to Democrats nationally (2008 and 2020).[20][21] North Carolina's race is also considered to be competitive since the state has a slight right lean, and the incumbent (Thom Tillis) has never won a majority of votes in his races.[22][23] Tillis announced that he would not be seeking a third term on June 29, 2025.[13] In July 2025, Democratic former Governor Roy Cooper announced his candidacy for the open seat; Cooper is the best-polling of all potential Democratic candidates for this seat.[24]
Incumbents in Iowa (Joni Ernst), Ohio (Jon Husted), Texas (John Cornyn), and Alaska (Dan Sullivan) are also expected to have somewhat competitive races.[19] The incumbent in Nebraska (Pete Ricketts) could also face a competitive race with the entrance of independent Dan Osborn, who ran against Republican Deb Fischer in the Class I race in 2024. Osborn was the most successful challenger of a Republican-held seat during the 2024 election cycle, having lost by only 6 points compared to Kamala Harris's loss by 20 points in Nebraska in the concurrent presidential election. Democrats did not contest the seat in 2024, and it is unclear whether they will do so in 2026.
Democratic incumbents
The other half of the Senate races expected to be the most competitive are those in Georgia and Michigan.[19] Georgia's incumbent Democratic senator (Jon Ossoff) is expected to be in a highly competitive race, though not as competitive as it could have been since Republican Governor Brian Kemp declined to run for the seat.[25] Ossoff narrowly beat out former Senator David Perdue in 2021 to win his first term.[26] In Michigan, senator Gary Peters has announced his retirement, setting a scramble for the state with an even PVI score.[27]
The seats in Minnesota (vacated by Tina Smith), and New Hampshire (vacated by Jeanne Shaheen) are expected to be only marginally close races (especially the latter, with popular former Republican governor Chris Sununu declining to run).[17][28] Despite this, Republican former United States Senator from Massachusetts and U.S. Ambassador to New Zealand and Samoa Scott Brown announced his candidacy for the open seat; Brown was the Republican nominee in 2014, narrowly losing the general election to Shaheen.[29]
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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
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One-term Republican Tommy Tuberville previously said he planned to seek reelection,[143] but announced on May 27, 2025, that he would run for governor of Alabama in 2026.[7] He was elected in 2020 with 60.1% of the vote.
Former Navy SEAL Jared Hudson, state Attorney General Steve Marshall, Congressman Barry Moore, and businessman Jeremy Spratling have announced their candidacies for the Republican nomination.[36][38][40][144]
Other potential Republican include former Secretary of State John Merrill, former state Department of Veterans Affairs Commissioner Kent Davis,[145] state House Speaker Nathaniel Ledbetter, 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.[146]
On the Democratic side, small business owners Dakarai Larriett and Kyle Sweetser and chemist Mark Wheeler II have all announced campaigns.[37][41][42] 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 reelection by Tuberville in 2020, is seen as a potential Democratic candidate.[147]
Sportscaster and former University of Alabama Crimson Tide football head coach Nick Saban has been cited as a potential candidate for Senate, though his party preference is unknown.[148]
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Alaska
Two-term Republican Dan Sullivan was reelected in 2020 with 53.9% of the vote. He is running for reelection to a third term in office.[43]
Despite filing paperwork to run for her old seat,[149] former Democratic Congresswoman Mary Peltola has also expressed interest in running for the Senate.[150][151] Former state senator Tom Begich has also been mentioned as a potential candidate for the Democrats.[152]
Arkansas
Two-term Republican Tom Cotton was reelected in 2020 with 66.5% of the vote. Cotton is running for reelection.
Democratic activist and candidate for U.S. Senate in 2020 and 2022, Dan Whitfield, has announced his campaign, as has rice farmer Hallie Shoffner.[153][154][155]
Colorado
One-term Democrat John Hickenlooper, elected with 53.5% of the vote in 2020, has said he plans to run for reelection, and that it will be his last term.[47][156][157]
Delaware
Three-term Democrat Chris Coons was reelected in 2020 with 59.4% of the vote.
Florida (special)
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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.[158] Moody has announced her candidacy for the special election to finish Rubio's term.[31] Podcaster and participant in the January 6 U.S. Capitol attack Jake Lang is challenging Moody in the Republican primary.[159]
Teacher Josh Weil, the nominee for Florida's 6th congressional district in the 2025 special election and a candidate for U.S. Senate in 2022 has announced his candidacy for the Democratic nomination.[160] Former Congressman from Florida's 9th congressional district Alan Grayson has filed paperwork to run for the Democratic nomination.[161] Alexander Vindman, former director of European affairs for the U.S. National Security Council, whistleblower in the 2019 Trump–Ukraine scandal, and twin brother of Congressman from Virginia Eugene Vindman, has expressed interest in mounting a campaign.[162]
On August 1, 2025, Weil withdrew his candidacy due to his Rhabdomyolysis.[163]
Georgia
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One-term Democrat Jon Ossoff is running for a second term in office.[55] 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.[164] Congressman Mike Collins announced his candidacy on July 28, 2025.[165] Former University of Tennessee football head coach Derek Dooley announced his candidacy on August 4.[166] Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger is seen as a potential Republican contender.[167][168]
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.[169] 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.[170] Lieutenant Governor Burt Jones was considered a potential candidate but is instead running for governor.[171][172] State Insurance Commissioner John F. King announced his candidacy on May 12, 2025, but suspended his campaign on July 24.[173]
Idaho
Three-term Republican Jim Risch was reelected in 2020 with 62.6% of the vote. He is running for a fourth term.[57] Former Democratic state Representative Todd Achilles is running as an independent.[56]
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.[174] On April 24, 2025, Lieutenant Governor Juliana Stratton became the first major Democratic candidate to announce her intention to run to replace Durbin.[66] On May 6, 2025, Congresswoman Robin Kelly of the 2nd congressional district announced that she would be a candidate.[175] On May 7, 2025, Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi of the 8th congressional district announced his candidacy.[176]
Congresswoman Nikki Budzinski of 13th congressional district is seen as a potential Democratic candidate.[177][178] 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[179] and former Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel.[180]
On April 25, 2025, Governor J. B. Pritzker announced that he would not be a candidate, and endorsed Stratton.[181] Congresswoman Lauren Underwood announced on May 20, 2025, that she would run for reelection, and not the U.S. Senate.[182]
Among Republicans, Doug Bennett, computer engineer and nominee for Illinois's 10th congressional district in 2018, R. Cary Capparelli, former member of the Illinois International Port District board (2000–2009), Casey Chlebek, national director for the Polish American Congress PAC and candidate for U.S. Senate in 2020 and 2022, former police officer John Goodman, and Dr. Pamela Denise Long, a media personality[183]/political columnist[184] and organizational development consultant have all announced candidacies.[185][186][187][188][189][190] Potential Republican candidates include Congressman of the 15th congressional district Darin LaHood,[179] and state Representative Tom Demmer.[191]
Former Governor Rod Blagojevich, who was convicted of corruption and later pardoned by Republican President Donald Trump, has publicly expressed interest in mounting a campaign. Previously elected as a Democrat, since his pardon, he has described himself as a "Trumpocrat".[192]
On August 4, 2025, LaHood announced that he would run for reelection and not for the U.S. Senate.[193]
Iowa
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Two-term Republican Joni Ernst was reelected in 2020 with 51.7% of the vote. She plans to run for a third term.[194] Former state Senator Jim Carlin and former vice chair of the Libertarian National Committee and Libertarian candidate for president in 2024 Joshua Smith have announced primary challenges to Ernst.[195][196] Talk show host Steve Deace has expressed interest in challenging Ernst for the Republican nomination.[197] State Attorney General Brenna Bird was viewed as a potential challenger, but declined and will run for reelection.[198]
On the Democratic side, US Marine Corps veteran Nathan Sage has announced his candidacy.[199] By August 2025, Democratic state Senator Zach Wahls, Des Moines School Board chair Jackie Norris, and state representatives J.D. Scholten and Josh Turek had all announced their candidacies.[200] Scholten later withdrew and endorsed Turek.[201]
On May 30, 2025, Ernst hosted a town hall. When someone charged that a proposed Medicare bill would cause people to die, Ernst replied, "we're all going to die", causing much criticism.[202] Two days later, Scholten announced his candidacy and denounced Ernst's remark.[203] On June 11, Wahls announced his candidacy and also cited her remarks as a factor in his decision.[204]
Kansas
One-term Republican Roger Marshall was elected in 2020 with 53.2% of the vote.
Among Democrats, former USDA official Christy Davis is seriously thinking of running against Marshall.[205]
There was some speculation that outgoing Democratic Governor Laura Kelly might run against Marshall, but she has said she does not intend to run.[206] Democratic State Senator Cindy Holscher publicly expressed interest in running,[207] but on June 12, 2025, announced that she would run for governor of Kansas in 2026.[208]
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.[209] On February 20, 2025, McConnell announced he will not seek reelection.[9]
Hours after McConnell's announcement, former state Attorney General and 2023 Republican gubernatorial nominee Daniel Cameron announced that he was running to succeed McConnell.[210] Likewise on April 22, Congressman Andy Barr of Kentucky's 6th congressional district announced his candidacy for the seat.[211] On June 26, businessman Nate Morris declared he was entering the race.[212] Other potential Republican candidates include state Auditor Allison Ball, state Attorney General Russell Coleman, Secretary of State Michael Adams, and former United Nations Ambassador and 2023 Republican gubernatorial candidate Kelly Craft. Previously viewed as a contender for the seat, the chairman of the House Oversight Committee and Congressman for Kentucky's 1st congressional district James Comer has declined to run and will seek reelection.[213]
Democratic state Representative Pamela Stevenson declared her candidacy for the seat.[214] Though there was some speculation that Democratic Governor Andy Beshear might seek the open seat, he has said he does not intend to run, citing his desire to finish his second term as governor.[213][215]
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 reelection to a third term.[81] State Treasurer and former Congressman John Fleming has announced his primary campaign against Cassidy.[82] State Senator Blake Miguez has announced his candidacy.[216] Congressman Clay Higgins is considered a potential Republican challenger.[217]
Former Governor John Bel Edwards is considered a potential Democratic candidate.[218][219]
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.[220]
Maine
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Five-term Republican Susan Collins was reelected with 51% of the vote in 2020. She plans to run 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.[221]
Collins is being challenged in the Republican primary by former police officer Dan Smeriglio.[91]
On the Democratic side, candidates include activist Natasha Alcala; attorney David Costello, the 2024 Democratic nominee for U.S. Senate; cybersecurity expert Tucker Favreau; oysterman and Marine veteran Graham Platner; and Lewiston native Jordan Wood, the Chief of Staff to former Congresswoman Katie Porter.[86][88][222][89][92] Former state senator Cathy Breen, state House Speaker Ryan Fecteau, and businessman Dan Kleban have publicly expressed interest in running.[223][224] Governor Janet Mills, who is term-limited, and Chief of the Penobscot Nation Kirk Francis are viewed as a potential Democratic candidates.[225][226] Congressman Jared Golden was seen as a potential candidate, but chose to run for reelection to the House instead.[227]
Philip Rench, an independent former member of the Maine Space Corporation, has also announced a campaign.[90]
Massachusetts
Two-term Democrat Ed Markey was reelected in 2020 with 66.2% of the vote and is running for reelection to a third full term.[93][228] The longest-serving Democrat in Congress, he would be 80 years old on Election Day. Markey faced multiple calls to retire due to his age during the Democratic primary for the seat in 2020.[229][230][231] He is being challenged in the Democratic primary by teacher and fantasy sports journalist Alex Rikleen.[232] Congressman Jake Auchincloss of the 4th congressional district has not ruled out challenging Markey in the Democratic primary.[233]
Among Republicans, state Representative Michael Soter is a potential candidate.[234]
Michigan
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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 reelection.[10]
State Senator Mallory McMorrow,[97] former Wayne County Health, Human, and Veterans Services Department Director Abdul El-Sayed,[96] and Congresswoman Haley Stevens of the 11th congressional district[99] have announced their candidacies. State Attorney General Dana Nessel may also choose to run.[235] On March 25, 2025, Congresswoman Hillary Scholten announced that she would not be a candidate.[236]
Former state House Speaker Joe Tate announced his candidacy on May 11, 2025, but suspended his campaign on August 8, 2025.[237][238]
For the Republicans, former Congressman Mike Rogers, former U.S. Representative for the 8th congressional district and the Republican nominee for U.S. Senate in 2024, has announced his candidacy.[98] Potential Republican candidates include 2022 Republican gubernatorial nominee Tudor Dixon,[239] Congressman Bill Huizenga, and state senator Jonathan Lindsey.[240]
On July 23, Huizenga announced that he would seek reelection and not run for the Senate.[241]
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 seek a second full term in 2026.[11] Incumbent Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan announced her candidacy the same day.[242] Congresswoman Angie Craig announced her candidacy on April 29.[243] State Senator Melisa López Franzen had announced a campaign, but withdrew on May 17.[244]
2024 Republican U.S. Senate nominee Royce White[245] and former Navy SEAL Adam Schwarze have announced their candidacies.[246] Potential Republican candidates include sportscaster Michele Tafoya,[247] state senator Julia Coleman, state senator Karin Housley,[248] state representative Kristin Robbins,[249] and attorney Ryan Wilson, who ran for Minnesota State Auditor in 2022.[250]
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.[106]
Among Democrats, attorney Ty Pinkins has announced his candidacy.[251] Lowndes County District Attorney Scott Colom is a possible candidate.[252]
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.[108] Former Democratic U.S. Senator Jon Tester, who was defeated in 2024, has said he will not seek election.[253]
Nebraska
Two-term Republican Ben Sasse resigned early in the 118th Congress to become president of the University of Florida.[254] Former Governor Pete Ricketts was appointed as interim senator on January 12, 2023, by Governor Jim Pillen.[255] He won the 2024 special election to serve the remainder of Sasse's term, defeating college professor Preston Love Jr.[256] Ricketts is running for reelection to his first full term.[110]
Former labor union leader and independent Dan Osborn, who challenged Republican Deb Fischer in the election for Nebraska's Class I seat, has announced his candidacy.[257]
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 reelection to a fourth term.[12]
Democratic Congressman Chris Pappas declared his candidacy on April 3, 2025, becoming the first major candidate to the enter the race.[258]
On June 25, former United States Senator from Massachusetts (2010–2013) and U.S. Ambassador to New Zealand and Samoa (2017–2020) Scott Brown announced he was entering the race for the seat; in 2014, Brown won the Republican primary and narrowly lost the general election against Shaheen.[29] Former Governor Chris Sununu was considered a possible candidate; however, he announced that he would not run for the seat on April 8, 2025.[259][260]
New Jersey
Two-term Democrat Cory Booker was reelected in 2020 with 57.2% of the vote and is running for reelection to a third full term.[115]
Among Republicans, former Tabernacle Mayor Justin Murphy is thinking of running against Booker.[261]
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.[262]
Hedge fund manager Nella Domenici, who was the Republican nominee in the 2024 U.S. Senate election, has declined to run.[263]
North Carolina
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Two-term Republican Thom Tillis was narrowly reelected in 2020 with 48.7% of the vote. On June 29, 2025, Tillis announced that he would not seek reelection to a third term.[13]
On June 10, 2023, the North Carolina Republican Party censured Tillis over his bipartisan support on gun control and same-sex marriage, and he was seen as vulnerable to a primary challenge.[264] Don Brown, attorney, author, and candidate for North Carolina's 8th congressional district in 2024 has announced a campaign against Tillis.[265] 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.[266] Although former Lieutenant Governor and 2024 Republican gubernatorial nominee Mark Robinson had been considered a potential candidate to challenge Tillis in the primary, he has said that running for any future political office is "not on my radar at all."[267] In June 2025, Tillis voted against Trump's One Big Beautiful Bill Act. Trump announced he was looking for a primary challenge against Tillis. The next day, Tillis withdrew his reelection bid. Other Republicans who are potential candidates include Congressmen Pat Harrigan, Dan Bishop, Richard Hudson, and Tim Moore, along with former Congressman George Holding, state Senate Majority Leader Phil Berger and state House Speaker Destin Hall.[268]
On the Democratic side, former Congressman Wiley Nickel declared his candidacy in April 2025.[269] Former Governor Roy Cooper announced his candidacy on July 28, 2025.[24] The following day, Nickel dropped out and endorsed Cooper.[270]
Ohio (special)
One-term Republican JD Vance was elected in 2022 with 53% of the vote.[271] 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.[272] Husted is running to finish out the remainder of Vance's six-year term.
Vivek Ramaswamy withdrew himself from consideration for the pending Senate appointment, later declaring his candidacy in the 2026 Ohio gubernatorial election.[273][274][275]
On the Democratic side, former U.S. Senator Sherrod Brown, who was unseated in 2024, is running for the seat.[276][32]
Oklahoma
Incumbent Republican 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.[277]
Oregon
Three-term Democrat Jeff Merkley was reelected in 2020 with 56.9% of the vote. On July 20, 2025, Merkley announced that he would run for reelection.[278]
Restaurant owner Timothy Skelton has announced his candidacy as a Republican.[279]
Rhode Island
Five-term Democrat Jack Reed was reelected in 2020 with 66.5% of the vote. He is running for reelection to a sixth term.[124]
South Carolina
Four-term Republican Lindsey Graham was reelected in 2020 with 54.4% of the vote. He is running for reelection to a fifth term.[130] Former South Carolina Lieutenant Governor André Bauer and Project 2025 author Paul Dans are challenging Graham in the Republican primary.[126][129] On August 8, 2025, Bauer withdrew his candidacy.[280]
Annie Andrews, pediatrician and nominee for South Carolina's 1st congressional district in 2022, and Catherine Fleming Bruce, Democratic activist, author, and candidate for U.S. Senate in 2022, are declared candidates.[281] Former U.S. Representative and 2020 presidential candidate Joe Walsh is considered a potential candidate as well following a relocation from Illinois to South Carolina.[282]
Democratic Former Congressman Robin Tallon has expressed interest in running for the seat as an Independent.[283]
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 reelection, but has publicly expressed interest in doing so.[284]
Businessman and former South Dakota state trooper Julian Beaudion has announced his candidacy for the Democratic nomination.[285] U.S. Navy and Air Force veteran, former Northern State University political science professor, and Democratic nominee for U.S. Senate in 2022 Brian Bengs has announced his candidacy as an independent.[286]
Tennessee
One-term Republican Bill Hagerty was elected in 2020 with 62.2% of the vote. He is running for reelection.[135]
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.[287] He faces Republican state Attorney General Ken Paxton.[288] Republican Congressman Ronny Jackson has been interested in running.[289] 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.[287]
Among Democrats, media personality and retired astronaut Terry Virts and former Congressman Colin Allred (who ran unsuccessfully for the Class I Senate seat in 2024) have announced their candidacies.[136][140] In recent remarks, former Congressman, nominee for Senate in 2018, and nominee for governor in 2022 Beto O'Rourke did not rule out running for this seat.[290] State Representative James Talarico has publicly expressed interest in running for the seat.[291]
Virginia
Three-term Democrat Mark Warner was reelected in 2020 with 56% of the vote.
On July 28, 2025, CPA Kim Farrington announced her candidacy as a Republican.[292] Governor Glenn Youngkin, who will leave office in early 2026, is considered a potential candidate for Republicans.[293][294]
West Virginia
Two-term Republican Shelley Moore Capito was reelected in 2020 with 70.3% of the vote. State senator Tom Willis has publicly expressed interest in challenging Capito.[295]
Democratic political organizer Zach Shrewsbury, who was a candidate for Senate in 2024, is also running for the seat.[296]
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.[297]
Wyoming
One-term Republican Cynthia Lummis was elected in 2020 with 72.8% of the vote. She is eligible for reelection.
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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