Three Senate Races Could Decide 2026 Congressional Control

Hours before the polls close, political analysts are focusing on three specific Senate contests that could shift control of Congress.

In Texas, Republican Attorney General Ken Paxton is challenging Democratic state Rep. James Talarico. Paxton secured the nomination after receiving an endorsement from President Donald Trump, which helped him defeat incumbent Sen. John Cornyn. The race has been complicated by Paxton’s history with the state legislature, which impeached him over corruption allegations before later acquitting him. A win for Talarico would mark the first time in more than 30 years that a Democrat has represented Texas in the U.S. Senate.

The open Senate seat in Michigan pits public health administrator Abdul El-Sayed against Republican Rep. Mike Rogers. The campaign has centered on El-Sayed’s Muslim faith, a point of contention that President Trump has emphasized by alleging unproven ties to extremism. El-Sayed has rejected those claims, stating that his loyalty belongs to the U.S. Constitution. Rep. Haley Stevens, who lost the Democratic primary, withdrew her support for El-Sayed on Sunday and is now endorsing Rogers.

In Ohio, Republican Sen. Jon Husted faces a rematch with former Democratic Sen. Sherrod Brown. Husted was appointed to the seat to replace J.D. Vance after Vance moved into the vice presidency. Brown is seeking a political comeback following his 2024 loss to Republican Sen. Bernie Moreno. The winner of this contest will serve the remaining two years of Vance’s term.