These states will make or break a Senate majority in November

Published August 13, 2026 2:44pm ET



Though Democrats and Republicans will contest Senate seats in 35 states this November, nine of those states will make or break each party’s path to an upper chamber majority.

The nonpartisan Cook Political Report rates four states — Alaska, Ohio, Michigan, and Maine — as “toss ups.” It considers Georgia, North Carolina, and New Hampshire to be “Lean Democrat,” while Iowa and Texas fall into the “Lean Republican” category.

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