Mid-term elections, from Texas to Michigan: all the key states in the race for control of the Senate
In several key states, Democrats and Republicans are vying for seats to secure a majority in the Senate, amidst dramatic twists and record-breaking spending
Key points
- Texas: the challenge in the Republican stronghold
- Michigan: the campaign of the US’s potential first Muslim senator
- Ohio: exorbitant spending on an uncertain campaign
- Alaska: two players with the same name and Peltola in the lead
- Kansas: Republicans in trouble after almost a century
- Maine: Platner’s replacement complicates the challenge
- Iowa: tight margins and the outcome still uncertain
In the final days of the election campaign for the mid-term elections in the United States, one of the most significant contests in American politics is the battle for control of the Senate. The Upper House, in fact, is responsible for confirming presidential appointments, including Supreme Court justices. In these mid-term elections, the Democrats must win at least four seats in the Senate to wrest the majority from the Republicans, who currently hold 53 seats to the Democrats’ 47. This tough contest is being played out in a number of states that will determine the balance of power in the Senate.
Texas: the challenge in the Republican stronghold
In this traditionally Republican-led southern state, the Democrats have not won since 1994. However, the candidate James Talarico looks set to end this drought. The Republican Senate candidate, Ken Paxton, on the other hand, appears to be struggling despite the massive funding provided by Elon Musk. Although Trump won the state by a 14-point margin in the 2024 presidential election, this time the race is far from over.
Michigan: the campaign of the US’s potential first Muslim senator
Here, the no-holds-barred battle is between the progressive Democrat Abdul El-Sayed and the Republican Mike Rogers. During the election campaign, each candidate also enjoyed the direct support of influential figures from their respective parties: the incumbent President Donald Trump for Rogers and former President Barack Obama for El-Sayed. Many of the Republican campaign’s disparaging messages have been directed at El-Sayed, who is viewed with suspicion as a candidate accused by his rival of posing a threat to national security.
Ohio: Exorbitant spending on an uncertain campaign
Democratic Senator Sherrod Brown is running against Republican Jon Husted, who was chosen to replace JD Vance when he left his seat to take up a post in the White House. The race is proving to be one of the most expensive in America: conservatives have so far invested 232 million, whilst the Democrats have invested 118 million. The latest polls show Brown leading Husted by 3–5 points.
Alaska: two candidates with the same name and Peltola in the lead
Republican Senator Dan Sullivan is seeking re-election against Democrat Mary Peltola and the outsider of the same name, Dan Sullivan. Here too, despite a clear victory for Donald Trump in 2024 by a margin of 13 points, the situation is now more complicated for the Republicans, with Sullivan currently trailing Peltola in the polls. Furthermore, a scandal has erupted over the case of the namesake, with the Democrats accused of orchestrating the move to siphon votes away from the conservative candidate.
