The Most Vulnerable Senators of 2026, One Year Before Election Day
WASHINGTON — The Democrats' chance to regain the Senate next year hinges on protecting a freshman senator from a Southern swing state that Donald Trump narrowly won in 2024. Jon Ossoff faces re-election in 2026.
Meanwhile, the Republican strategy to keep their Senate majority focuses on a veteran senator who has retained his seat despite representing a state that generally favors Democrats.
“Democrats’ hopes of securing control of the Senate next year begin with defending a freshman from a Southern swing state that Donald Trump narrowly carried in 2024.”
“Republican efforts to maintain their Senate majority center on a longtime incumbent who has managed to hang on despite representing a state that leans blue.”
Both parties are concentrating resources on these key races as they prepare for the 2026 midterms.
Author’s summary: Key Senate races in 2026 will test Democrats defending a new senator in a Trump-leaning state and Republicans holding ground in a traditionally Democratic area.