2026 CBS News Battleground Tracker: Key Races to Watch in the Upcoming Midterm Elections
The 2026 CBS News Battleground Tracker polling is now available, providing insights into the upcoming midterm elections and the key races to watch across the country. Both Democrats and Republicans are focusing on a select number of House and Senate races as they vie for control of Congress this fall. The GOP, currently holding the majority in both chambers, faces challenges due to the Iran war and economic pressures. With 53 Republican seats and 47 Democratic seats, the Democrats need to gain four seats to secure the majority while defending against GOP challenges.
In the Senate, nine key races are being closely monitored. In Alaska, GOP Sen. Dan Sullivan and former Democratic Rep. Mary Peltola are front-runners in a competitive primary. Iowa sees GOP Rep. Ashley Hinson and state Rep. Josh Turek facing off, while Maine's GOP Sen. Susan Collins is defending her seat against Democrat Troy Jackson. Michigan features a battle between former GOP Rep. Mike Rogers and Democrat Abdul El-Sayed, and Ohio has GOP Sen. Jon Husted up against former Sen. Sherrod Brown. Texas sees a closely watched contest between Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton and state Rep. James Talarico, while Georgia has GOP Rep. Mike Collins challenging Democratic Sen. Jon Ossoff. North Carolina features a race between former Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper and former Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Whatley, and New Hampshire sees Democratic Rep. Chris Pappas and former GOP Sen. John Sununu competing for an open Senate seat.
In the House, all 435 seats are up for election, with 218 seats needed for the majority. The House is currently narrowly divided, with 218 Republicans, an independent caucusing with the GOP, and 214 Democrats. Two seats are vacant. There are 42 key House races to watch, including contests in Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Iowa, Michigan, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Texas.
As the campaign season progresses, these races will continue to evolve, shaping the landscape of Congress and the balance of power in Washington. Stay tuned for updates and analysis on these critical races as the midterm elections draw closer.