Mississippi and Alaska Senate Races Remain Uncalled as Democrats Secure Congress

Key points

• The Associated Press has not called the Senate races in Mississippi and Alaska, nor the governor races in Alaska and Kansas, as of 4 p.m. Eastern time on November 4, 2026.
• In Mississippi, Democrat Scott Colom leads Republican incumbent Cindy Hyde-Smith by a few dozen votes, with several thousand provisional ballots expected to be counted by November 10.
• In Alaska, Democrat Mary Peltola leads Republican incumbent Dan Sullivan by 626 votes with 74% of votes counted; the race may proceed to ranked-choice voting if no candidate reaches 50%.
• Democrats have secured control of the Senate with 54 seats and the House with 258 seats, flipping seats in states like Kansas, Iowa, Texas, and Ohio.
• The narrow margins in the uncalled races highlight the competitive nature of the 2026 midterms, with Democrats winning in states that voted for President Trump in 2024.

Background

The 2026 midterm elections have seen a significant shift in voter sentiment, with Democrats securing control of both chambers of Congress. This follows a period of delayed counts and close races, as noted in earlier coverage of the 'red mirage' phenomenon, where early returns often skew Republican. The current results reflect a broader trend of Democratic gains in traditionally Republican states, indicating a potential realignment in the political landscape.

How outlets are covering it

The Associated Press emphasizes the narrow margins in the uncalled races, highlighting the competitive nature of the 2026 midterms. The Guardian focuses on the historic nature of the Democratic gains, noting that Democrats have not won a US Senate seat in Mississippi since 1982. NBC 5 Chicago provides a broader context of the Democratic sweep, detailing the number of seats flipped in various states and the overall control of Congress. All sources agree on the significance of the Democratic gains but differ in their emphasis on the specific races and the broader implications for the political landscape.

Why it matters

The uncalled races in Mississippi and Alaska, along with the governor races in Alaska and Kansas, highlight the competitive nature of the 2026 midterms and the potential for significant shifts in the political landscape. The narrow margins in these races underscore the importance of provisional ballots and ranked-choice voting in determining the final outcomes. The Democratic gains in traditionally Republican states indicate a potential realignment in the political landscape, with implications for the 2028 presidential cycle and the future of the Republican Party.

What to watch

The results of the uncalled races in Mississippi and Alaska, along with the governor races in Alaska and Kansas, are expected to be determined in the coming days. The counting of provisional ballots in Mississippi and the potential for ranked-choice voting in Alaska will be crucial in determining the final outcomes. The Democratic gains in traditionally Republican states may have significant implications for the 2028 presidential cycle and the future of the Republican Party.