All articles tagged with #senate elections
Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez endorsed Abdul El-Sayed in Michigan’s competitive Democratic Senate primary, the first Senate endorsement of the year for her, in a race where Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer backs Haley Stevens and other Democrats back different candidates ahead of the Aug. 4 primary.
Democrats backing Senate hopeful Graham Platner in Maine say that, with Donald Trump in the White House and Senate control at stake, the era has lowered political standards and purity politics are less helpful, as they push to flip the Senate to check the president even as Platner faces past questions.
Two Dan Sullivans are running for Alaska’s Senate—incumbent Republican Dan S. Sullivan and challenger Dan J. Sullivan—sparking GOP claims that the lesser‑known candidate is trying to confuse voters and aid Democrat Mary Peltola. There are complaints filed with the FEC and Alaska is investigating; Dan J. Sullivan says his candidacy is legitimate and not coordinated with Democrats.
Democratic Senate candidate Graham Platner addressed hundreds at a Bar Harbor rally in Maine, pushing back on scrutiny of his past as opponents dig up controversy; supporters, including defenders like Rep. Ro Khanna, back him and say the focus should stay on his campaign ahead of the Maine primary against Susan Collins.
Voters in Maine say Graham Platner’s sexting controversy hasn’t changed their vote; Democrats prize his outsider status and remain confident he can challenge Sen. Susan Collins, with Platner leading Collins in polls despite revelations including Reddit posts and a Nazi-symbol tattoo, and his wife addressing the issue in a video.
Embattled Maine Senate candidate Graham Platner met with Democratic senators in Washington to present a plan to win Maine and answered questions about his personal history, as party leaders offered mixed reactions while Platner seeks to reassure key allies ahead of the race.
Two Democrats competing for Iowa’s open U.S. Senate seat are testing messaging strategies: one candidate leans into electability and positions his campaign with Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, while the other attacks Schumer to appeal to Republicans and independents. The race is the first of three Senate primaries intended to reveal whether voters favor a moderate approach or a combative stance toward Democratic leadership, with implications for upcoming contests in Iowa, Michigan, and Minnesota.
Centrist Rep. Angie Craig will not seek the Minnesota Democrats’ endorsement for the Senate, clearing the path for Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan to secure it at this weekend’s convention. Craig will still run in the primary, and the endorsement shift could funnel more party resources to Flanagan as the liberal favorite.
Georgia’s Republican Senate primary is headed to a runoff on June 16 after Rep. Mike Collins and ex-football coach Derek Dooley emerge as the top two contenders to face Democrat Jon Ossoff. Collins led the initial vote; Dooley edged Buddy Carter for second. Kemp has campaigned for Dooley, arguing he can win moderates and independents, while Dooley supporters tout electability and opponents highlight ethics scrutiny surrounding Collins. The outcome could shape party control of the Senate in a pivotal race for 2026.
Nebraska Democrats knew they couldn’t unseat Republican Sen. Pete Ricketts, so they backed a Democratic nominee who promised to drop out if she won and urged supporters to consolidate behind an independent with the best chance to win statewide. The strategy, aimed at unseating a deep-red incumbent, got complicated and will test whether an independent can prevail in Nebraska.
Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine) disclosed she has a benign essential tremor she has lived with for decades, stressing that it does not affect her ability to do her job as she runs for a sixth term. Neurologists say essential tremor is common and usually benign with little cognitive impact, and the revelation comes amid renewed scrutiny of health and age in elections, including Maine’s competitive Senate race.
President Donald Trump endorsed Rep. Andy Barr to succeed Mitch McConnell in Kentucky’s Senate race, reshaping the GOP primary just weeks before the May 19 election. Trump also pressed one rival to drop out—Nate Morris—while former Kentucky attorney general Daniel Cameron remains in the contest, in a state that hasn’t elected a Democratic senator since 1992.
Maine Gov. Janet Mills withdrew from the Democratic primary to challenge Republican Sen. Susan Collins, citing a lack of funds to compete; this clears the way for Graham Platner, a Democrat and oyster farmer, to win the primary and likely face Collins in the Senate race this fall.
Democrats warn that a bitter Maine Senate primary between Gov. Janet Mills and Graham Platner could imperil their chances to unseat incumbent Sen. Susan Collins, with Mills hammering ads against Platner as Republicans celebrate a divisive fight; Collins remains a formidable candidate amid Maine’s political shift, making the race a key test for control of the Senate.
Two-term Maine Gov. Janet Mills released a blistering negative ad against her Senate primary opponent, oyster farmer Graham Platner, criticizing his past Reddit comments about sexual assault as polls show Mills trailing in a closely watched Democratic primary.