Several states with Republican Senate seats up for 2026 will be a challenge for Democrats, with them needing at least a gain of four seats, assuming the party keeps all of the seats they have coming up for reelection, in order to regain control of the US Senate in 2027.
This includes the states of:
Alaska
Iowa
Kentucky
Maine
Nebraska
North Carolina
Ohio
Texas
Today, there will be examination and analysis of the first four races listed above, with a later article on the latter four states.
In Alaska, native American former Congresswoman Mary Peltola is challenging Republican Senator Dan Sullivan, and this is believed to be a potential gain for Democrats, who see her race as the crucial one on the road to a Democratic majority in the Senate.
In Iowa, Senator Joni Ernst is retiring, and Iowa Congresswoman Ashley Hinson is favored as the Republican nominee, seen as having an edge in a state that has trended Republican in recent times.
However, there are two Democrats who have drawn interest—Zach Wahls, who became noticed 15 years ago when he openly supported his lesbian parents, and would end up in the Iowa state legislature, as a liberal activist; and Josh Turek, born with spina bifida, but while being in a wheelchair for his lifetime, has been a competitor in wheelchair basketball sports, along with service in the Iowa legislature. Wahls is seen as more progressive, while Turek is seen as more moderate in views.
Kentucky, a strongly Republican state, is choosing a successor to long term Senator Mitch McConnell, who had been both Senate Majority Leader and Senate Minority Leader. The Republican favorite is former State Attorney General Daniel Cameron, but challenged by Congressman Andy Barr, one of the most extreme right wing members of the Republican Party in Congress.
Democrats have two former contenders for the Senate—Amy McGrath, former Marine fighter pilot; and Charles Booker, former state legislator. Sadly, it would be a major upset if either Democrat won the Senate seat.
The state of Maine will have the most hotly contested election for the Senate, with Republican incumbent Susan Collins, in her 30th year in the Senate, and having a moderate image, but under attack by both her own party, including Donald Trump, but also Democrats who see a great opportunity to take this seat.
Collins is in her mid 70s, and her two Democratic opponents are sitting Governor Janet Mills, who would be, at 79, the oldest first term US Senator in history, if she won; and Graham Platner, oyster farmer, harbor master, and military veteran, who has become controversial for his past statements, his chest tattoo, and his perceived extreme utterances on a multitude of issues.
Polls indicate a very close competition between Mills and Planter, and between either of them and Collins, and this could be the tipping point election for control of the Senate in 2027.
At this point, the states of Alaska and Maine seem potential gains for the Democrats, with some possibility in Iowa, but unlikely any chance to win in Kentucky!