Democrats Target House and Senate Control in 2026 Midterms

The 2026 midterm elections are emerging as a highly competitive cycle with Democrats positioned as favorites to regain the U.S. House of Representatives. According to the Cook Political Report, the party is pursuing a path to reclaim the Senate as well, though this requires a net gain of four seats in a challenging landscape that includes Republican-leaning contests in Alaska and Ohio.

Republican candidates are facing headwinds due to President Donald Trump's record-low approval ratings, an unpopular war in Iran, and negative perceptions of the economy. In California, GOP incumbents are fighting to retain seats flipped in 2024, with Democratic challengers attempting to link them to the president's record. Republican Assemblymembers Leticia Castillo and Jeff Gonzalez have attempted to distance their local governance from national politics to appeal to purple districts.

Key battlegrounds have formed across the country. In North Carolina, former Governor Roy Cooper is running against Michael Whatley, while in Ohio, former health official Amy Acton is expected to challenge Vivek Ramaswamy for governor. The Ohio Senate race between Republican Jon Husted and Democrat Sherrod Brown is projected to be tight. Meanwhile, the Oklahoma Ethics Commission reports that primary spending is on track to make 2026 the most expensive election year in the state's history.