# Seven Senate races that will decide Congress

> Control of the Senate hangs on tightly contested races in Alaska, Iowa, Michigan, Maine, Ohio, Kansas and Texas as Republicans defend their majority.
- Title: Seven Senate races that will decide Congress · TIME | Shortify
- Summary: Control of the Senate hangs on tightly contested races in Alaska, Iowa, Michigan, Maine, Ohio, Kansas and Texas as Republicans defend their majority…
- Keywords: 2026 midterm elections, senate races, alaska senate, iowa senate, michigan senate, maine senate, ohio senate, kansas senate, texas senate, new hampshire senate, house races, republicans
- Source: TIME — https://time.com/article/2026/10/30/the-key-congressional-races-to-watch-on-election-night
- Author: Connor Greene
- Published: 2026-10-30T11:00:00+00:00
- Read time: 3 min
- Topics: 2026 midterm elections, senate races, alaska senate, iowa senate, michigan senate, maine senate, ohio senate, kansas senate, texas senate, new hampshire senate, house races, republicans
## Republicans hold both chambers
Republicans currently control the Senate with 53 seats in the one hundred-seat chamber and the House with two hundred eighteen seats in the four hundred thirty-five-seat chamber.
## History favours the opposition
The party in power usually loses seats in midterms.Democrats lost nine House seats in two thousand twenty-two under President Joe Biden.Republicans lost about forty House seats in two thousand eighteen during Trump's first term.
## Democrats expected to flip House
Democrats are widely expected to gain enough House seats to take control of that chamber. The Senate remains a toss-up amid several tightly contested races, many in red states Trump won in two thousand twenty-four.
## Alaska: Sullivan versus Peltola
Republican Sen. Dan Sullivan is running for another term against Democrat Mary Peltola, who previously served as the first Alaska native elected to Congress. Polling shows them neck-in-neck, with Peltola occasionally gaining a slim lead.
## Alaska ballot confusion triggers lawsuit
A Daniel J.Sullivan Jr.is also on the ballot as part of a broader Democratic effort to help Peltola's bid.
## Iowa: Hinson versus Turek
Republican Rep. Ashley Hinson, a former broadcast journalist, is vying against Democratic state Rep. Josh Turek, a paralympic gold medalist, to replace outgoing Republican Sen. Joni Ernst. Recent polling suggests a true toss-up.
## Michigan: El-Sayed could be first Muslim senator
Democrat Abdul El-Sayed, a physician and former public health director, has the chance to be the country's first Muslim senator.
## El-Sayed's Gaza stance drew fire
El-Sayed won his party's nomination after a fierce primary against Rep.Haley Stevens, in which his criticism of Israel's war in Gaza became a lightning rod issue.

> hating America
## Maine: Collins seeks sixth term
Republican Sen.Susan Collins is seeking a sixth term in Maine, a moderate blue state.She is facing off against Democrat Troy Jackson, a logger and former president of the Maine Senate.
## Ohio: Brown versus Husted
Former Democratic Sen.Sherrod Brown faces off against Republican Sen.Jon Husted, who was appointed by Republican Gov.Mike DeWine to replace Vance when he went to the White House in two thousand twenty-five.
## Kansas: Hamilton challenges Marshall
Adam Hamilton, who founded the largest Methodist congregation in the U.S., is challenging incumbent Republican Roger Marshall. Recent polls have shown Hamilton leading up to five points against Marshall, prompting last-minute investments by both sides.
## Texas: Talarico seeks Democratic breakthrough
James Talarico has a chance to become the first Democratic Senator in Texas since nineteen ninety-three.He faces off against Republican nominee Attorney General Ken Paxton.
## New Hampshire: Pappas versus Sununu
A tight contest for Democratic Sen.Jeanne Shaheen's seat is taking place in New Hampshire, where four-term Democratic Rep.Chris Pappas is running against former Sen.John Sununu, who was beat out by Shaheen in two thousand eight.
## House races: Michigan-seven and Texas-fifteen
In Michigan's seventh district, Republican Rep.Tom Barrett faces off against progressive William Lawrence, a climate organizer who founded the Sunrise Movement.More recent polls show Lawrence leading.
## House races: Texas-fifteen and Ohio-seven
Republican Monica De La Cruz, who flipped Texas' fifteenth district in two thousand twenty-two, is running for reelection against Democrat Bobby Pulido, a popular Latin Grammy-winning Tejano musician.Some recent polls show Pulido in the lead.
## Ohio-seven: Miller faces domestic abuse allegations
Republican Rep.Max Miller, a former Trump White House aide, is battling Democrat Brian Poindexter, a union worker and former councilman, in Ohio's seventh district.
## Key takeaway

Republicans control both chambers but Democrats are expected to gain House seats. Seven Senate races in red states will determine which party controls the upper chamber for the remainder of Donald Trump's presidency.