# Republicans face Senate polling blow

> Republicans lose three Senate races in latest polling.
- Title: Republicans face Senate polling blow · Newsweek | Shortify
- Summary: Republicans lose three Senate races in latest polling. Democrats lead Republicans in Texas, Iowa and Ohio Senate races by 5-6 percent according to Cook…
- Keywords: republicans, democrats, senate, cook political report, texas, iowa, ohio, senate races, polling, midterm elections, face, blow
- Source: Newsweek — https://newsweek.com/republicans-dealt-triple-senate-polling-blow-by-leading-election-forecaster-12602006
- Published: 2026-10-21T23:14:41+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: republicans, democrats, senate, cook political report, texas, iowa, ohio, senate races, polling, midterm elections
## Senate polling shows Democratic leads
Democrats lead Republicans in Texas, Iowa and Ohio Senate races by 5-6 percent according to Cook Political Report.
## Trump's approval rating slips
Trump's approval rating and ranking on economic, immigration, jobs and Iran policy issues have recently slipped as households flag affordability concerns.
## Republican candidates face narrow leads
In Texas, Democrat James Talarico leads Republican Ken Paxton by 5 percent; in Iowa, Democrat Josh Turek leads Republican Ashley Hinson by 2 percent; in Ohio, Democrat Sherrod Brown leads Republican Jon Husted by 6…
## GOP pollster comments on trends
GOP pollster Greg Strimple says the economic center of the American electorate is collapsing on Republicans.
## Experts weigh impact of polling
Columbia University professor Robert Y. Shapiro says Democrats are very competitive for Senate majority control.
## Syracuse University expert notes unknowns
Syracuse University professor Grant Davis Reeher says there are still many unknowns in the polling data.
## Polling methodology details
Cook's polling interviewed 602 likely voters in Iowa, 959 in Ohio, and 934 in Texas from October 9-13, 2026.
## Iowa Senate race dynamics
In Iowa, Democrat Josh Turek leads Republican Ashley Hinson 46 percent to 44 percent with Libertarian Thomas Laehn at 8 percent.
## Texas Senate race dynamics
In Texas, Democrat James Talarico leads Republican Ken Paxton 49 percent to 44 percent with Libertarian Ted Brown at 3 percent.
## Ohio Senate race dynamics
In Ohio, Democrat Sherrod Brown leads Republican Jon Husted 49 percent to 43 percent with Libertarian William Redpath at 3 percent.
## Key takeaway

Democrats lead Republicans in Texas, Iowa and Ohio Senate races by 5-6 percent according to Cook Political Report.