All articles tagged with #senate race
President Trump used an anti-transgender slur to attack Democratic Senate candidate Annie Andrews in South Carolina, prompting bipartisan criticism. Andrews, a pediatrician who is not transgender, responded by focusing on cost-of-living issues. The race, previously seen as solidly Republican, has shifted toward 'Likely Republican' due to recent developments.
Florida Democratic Senate nominee Angie Nixon responded to Republican criticism of her Democratic Socialists of America membership by stating the attack is not about the organization itself but rather a tactic to distract from policy issues. She emphasized her focus on healthcare, housing, and childcare. Nixon is challenging Republican Senator Ashley Moody in a race where Democrats aim to make inroads in a state that has become increasingly red.
Republican strategists are growing anxious about the North Carolina Senate race, where incumbent Michael Whatley trails former Governor Roy Cooper by a widening margin. A key GOP super PAC canceled $6.5 million in October ad reservations, signaling potential resource shifts, though other groups maintain spending. The race is a critical battleground for Senate control, with Whatley’s struggles linked to President Trump’s low approval ratings and his refusal to distance himself from the president.
A new St. Pete Polls survey for Florida Politics shows U.S. Sen. Ashley Moody and Democratic challenger Angie Nixon tied at 45% each among likely general-election voters, with 7% undecided and a 3.2-point margin of error, signaling two top-ticket toss-ups as Election Day approaches.
More than 500 Michigan Jewish leaders and voters signed an open letter urging support for Democratic Senate nominee Abdul El-Sayed, acknowledging concerns about his Israel stance but arguing he is the better choice for Jews than Republican Mike Rogers and aiming to counter a separate push from some Jews who oppose him.
In a Kodiak debate about fishing policy, Sen. Dan Sullivan glanced at Mary Peltola’s paddle and copied her “no” answer to a question on NPFC/NOAA effects, prompting laughter as he apologized; Peltola later teased him online with “Happy to help, Dan,” underscoring a light viral moment in Alaska’s high-stakes Senate race.
Republicans are increasingly anxious about North Carolina’s Senate race as Whatley trails Democrat Roy Cooper in the polls; despite big outside money from SLF and MAGA Inc. and a Trump visit planned, party insiders warn that the high-cost media markets, unaffiliated-voter dynamics, and a tough environment could make it hard to close the gap before November.
Democratic Michigan Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed faced rapid online backlash after posting a 9/11 tribute on X that highlighted his friendship with far-left streamer Hasan Piker, who has sparked controversy for past 9/11 remarks. Critics, including GOP strategists and allied accounts, accused El-Sayed of aligning with someone who questioned America, while El-Sayed’s team said the race should focus on policy and noted he does not necessarily share Piker’s views; his campaign did not respond to requests for comment about disavowing Piker.
New CNN polls show Maine and Michigan Senate races tightening to near parity: in Maine, Democrat Troy Jackson trails or narrowly leads incumbent Susan Collins as voters view Collins and Trump negatively and Jackson’s late-entry looms; in Michigan, Abdul El-Sayed and Mike Rogers are even within the margin, with El-Sayed drawing strong support from Democrats, independents, and younger/Black voters while Rogers secures GOP backing. Across both states, the economy and cost of living are the top issues, tariffs are viewed negatively, and Democratic voters are more motivated to turn out. Trump remains broadly unpopular in both states. The surveys were conducted Aug. 31–Sept. 6, 2026, with margins of error around 3.7–4.1 points.
Democrat Chris Pappas won the Democratic nomination in New Hampshire to challenge Republican John E. Sununu in the November U.S. Senate race for the seat being vacated by retiring Sen. Jeanne Shaheen. Sununu defeated Scott Brown in the GOP primary, setting up a high-stakes contest that could shape the Senate’s balance. The race is viewed as pivotal, with Cook Political Report rating it leaning Democrat and Republicans aiming to flip the Granite State. The article also notes other New Hampshire primary results, including Shaheen’s daughter’s bid for Congress and Gov. Kelly Ayotte seeking reelection.
Democrats in New Hampshire are pressing for more resources to back Rep. Chris Pappas in a tight Senate race against GOP former Sen. John Sununu, after primaries sent both candidates to the general election. Polls show Sununu with a slim lead, while national donors and committees plan a major ad push—Senate Leadership Fund ~$17 million and Senate Majority PAC over $10 million—raising concerns that Republicans may outspend Democrats on air. Pappas and allies insist the race isn’t safe and warn that winning NH is critical to Democrats holding the chamber, even as both sides target personal and lobbying ties in their messaging.
New Hampshire's primaries produced a potential Senate flip opportunity as Republican John Sununu won the GOP nomination and Democrat Chris Pappas secured the Democratic nod, setting the stage for a high-stakes race to replace retiring Sen. Jeanne Shaheen. The results also highlighted notable House contests, with Anthony DiLorenzo (R) and Lily Tang Williams (R) taking the 1st and 2nd District Republican nods, and Stefany Shaheen (D) and Maggie Goodlander (D) winning Democratic nominations in the 1st and 2nd Districts, respectively, signaling a busy November congressional landscape.
In Maine's Senate contest, Susan Collins relies on long-standing retail campaigning and earmark-funded achievements to remind voters of her experience, while challenger Troy Jackson is crisscrossing the state to raise name recognition, cast Collins as aligned with Trump, and mobilize labor-backed voters amid a flood of campaign ads.
Sen. Ted Cruz urged moderate Republicans to back Ken Paxton after a costly primary, arguing conservatives should support the nominee and noting that roughly $200 million in attack ads helped Paxton’s closer-than-expected result; Paxton now faces Democrat James Talarico in Texas, with a August poll showing Talarico ahead by about six points outside the margin of error.
Sen. Susan Collins used a Politico interview to suggest Democratic challenger Troy Jackson ‘struggles to control his temper’ while sidestepping questions about Jackson’s personal life, a moment that circulated online with conservatives praising Collins; Jackson’s camp dismissed the personal-attacks strategy as distractions and emphasized the race should focus on issues, noting prior scrutiny of Jackson including a 1988 police report.