Senate election 2026: 11 battlegrounds put control of Congress in play

A closely divided Senate map

CBS News estimates identify 11 Senate battlegrounds. Republicans are defending eight of those seats, while Democrats are defending three. South Carolina, Kansas and Iowa are rated lean Republican. Maine, Ohio, Texas and Alaska are toss-ups, and North Carolina is rated lean Democratic.

Midterm elections often bring losses for the party holding the White House. That pattern, along with the GOP’s current standing with voters, has raised uncertainty about a map that had appeared favorable to Republicans.

Alaska race faces dispute

Democratic candidate Mary Peltola said Tuesday that accusations of fraud by Republican opponent and incumbent Sen. Dan S. Sullivan, along with other Republicans, may have helped reengage voters. She described the accusations as a possible late push that brought people back into the race.

The Trump administration filed a lawsuit last month seeking to prevent certification of results if Sullivan received fewer votes than Peltola. A federal judge dismissed the case on Sunday.

The New York Times reported last week on an alleged secret effort by political operatives aligned with Peltola’s campaign to recruit Daniel J. Sullivan to draw votes away from the senator. Peltola denied involvement. Anchorage voters said the ballot was clear despite the controversy over the two Dan Sullivans, though they disagreed over whether the dispute was legitimate.

Seats and presidential priorities

Democrats last held Senate control in 2022 and maintained a narrow majority during the Biden administration. The chamber’s control can affect the White House’s policy goals and nominations. President Trump is approaching the final two years of his presidency, making the Senate outcome consequential for his administration.