# Senate races 2026 **URL:** \ **Category:** Politics & Elections\ **Created:** [January 28, 2025, 3:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/senate-races-2026/1013534 "2025-01-28T15:04:17Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 33
**Author:** ![Loach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/loach/32/350_2.png) [@Loach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loach)\ **Post date:** [October 12, 2026, 7:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/senate-races-2026/1013534/641 "2026-10-12T19:30:53Z")
“Don’t you think she looks tired?” I don’t know which is stupider but the hospital story has more legs. The usual suspects are doubling down. I’m not in Texas but I’ve been following closely so my algorithm is full of stories. They aren’t backing down from it. It doesn’t have to be true it just has to feel true to enough people in a close race to make a difference. I don’t believe he was in a mental institution. I do believe he did a piss poor job of explaining his absence. In 2026 it’s hard to believe you can’t get on zoom for 2 weeks even if you can’t campaign in person. It adds a level of uncertainty into a race that’s too close and important. ---
**Author:** ![Happy\_Lendervedder](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/happy_lendervedder/32/8488_2.png) [@Happy\_Lendervedder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Happy_Lendervedder)\ **Post date:** [October 12, 2026, 8:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/senate-races-2026/1013534/642 "2026-10-12T20:23:33Z")
Yeah if COVID taught us anything it’s that campaigning doesn’t need to stop because of illness or isolation. ---
**Author:** ![Happy\_Lendervedder](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/happy_lendervedder/32/8488_2.png) [@Happy\_Lendervedder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Happy_Lendervedder)\ **Post date:** [October 12, 2026, 9:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/senate-races-2026/1013534/643 "2026-10-12T21:02:11Z")
A GOP group spent $25,000 for ad time in Portland in support of Susan Collins recently. Oregon. Portland, _Oregon_. > **[Which Portland? GOP ad buyer chooses wrong state for Senate campaign](https://www.yahoo.com/news/politics/articles/portland-gop-ad-buyer-chooses-201118902.html)** > > A Republican group supporting Susan Collins accidentally ran ads targeting her opponent Troy Jackson in Portland, Oregon, instead of Portland, Maine. Once they realized they were about 3,000 miles off target, they got the ads pulled and are getting their boner refunded, but danged if’n this don’t represent how stupid Republicans are these days. ---
**Author:** ![bobot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bobot/32/21622_2.png) [@bobot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bobot)\ **Post date:** [October 12, 2026, 9:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/senate-races-2026/1013534/644 "2026-10-12T21:04:32Z")
Ok. But my point was that when Trump does that, it is always intentional. ---
**Author:** ![puzzlegal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/puzzlegal/32/3827_2.png) [@puzzlegal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puzzlegal)\ **Post date:** [October 12, 2026, 9:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/senate-races-2026/1013534/645 "2026-10-12T21:22:04Z")
> [@Happy\_Lendervedder](#): > > but danged if’n this don’t represent how stupid Republicans are these days. I got calls for some local race in another state. “But, my records show you live in XYZ.” Yes, i live in “XYZ”, in another state". It’s not just Republicans, sadly. > [@bobot](#): > > Ok. But my point was that when Trump does that, it is always intentional. I understood your point, and disagree. But either way, it’s not really relevant to this thread. I continue to think that even if it’s intentional on his part, it’s not effective. Not even for marginal low information voters. Because the two names have such similar connotations. ---
**Author:** ![DesertDog](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/desertdog/32/11503_2.png) [@DesertDog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DesertDog)\ **Post date:** [October 12, 2026, 9:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/senate-races-2026/1013534/646 "2026-10-12T21:43:14Z")
> [@Happy\_Lendervedder](#): > > Once they realized they were about 3,000 miles off target, they got the ads pulled and are getting their boner refunded TV station: No backsies! ---
**Author:** ![Railer13](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/railer13/32/9742_2.png) [@Railer13](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Railer13)\ **Post date:** [October 12, 2026, 10:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/senate-races-2026/1013534/647 "2026-10-12T22:18:27Z")
We are blessed! > In a Truth Social post on Monday, Trump said he will be holding a “Kansas Style Rally” to support Sen. Roger Marshall. > > “Roger is one of my favorite Senators,” Trump wrote in the Truth Social post. Of course, he didn’t say when or where the Kansas Style Rally will be held. But I’m certain his staff will find a high school gym somewhere in the state that might be willing to host this momentous event. [https://www.ksn.com/news/your-local-election-hq/trump-teases-kansas-style-rally-for-sen-roger-marshall/](https://www.ksn.com/news/your-local-election-hq/trump-teases-kansas-style-rally-for-sen-roger-marshall/) > **[Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump)](https://truthsocial.com/@realDonaldTrump/posts/117429543347855465)** > > Senator Roger Marshall is working incredibly hard for the Great State of Kansas, which I love and WON BIG in 2016, 2020, and 2024. Roger is one of my favorite Senators — He is absolutely GREAT, a wonderful person, given a “bum rap” because he was... ---
**Author:** ![PhillyGuy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ed655f/32.png) [@PhillyGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PhillyGuy)\ **Post date:** [October 12, 2026, 11:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/senate-races-2026/1013534/648 "2026-10-12T23:02:52Z")
> [@Happy\_Lendervedder](#): > > Once they realized they were about 3,000 miles off target, they got the ads pulled and are getting their boner refunded, but danged if’n this don’t represent how stupid Republicans are these days. [Those Hellfire Missiles Were Headed for the Other Portland](https://www.wweek.com/news/2016/03/14/those-hellfire-missiles-were-headed-for-the-other-portland/) > [@](#): > > The oldest mix-up in the book—confusing Portland, Oregon and Portland, Maine—just gained a new, high-stakes chapter. So I don’t see this as any general sign regarding GOP intelligence, although it does looks like they probably will lose the Senate. ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [October 12, 2026, 11:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/senate-races-2026/1013534/649 "2026-10-12T23:16:46Z")
Just how much of an ad campaign can you run for $25,000, anyway? ---
**Author:** ![Kolak\_of\_Twilo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kolak_of_twilo/32/73_2.png) [@Kolak\_of\_Twilo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kolak_of_Twilo)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2026, 12:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/senate-races-2026/1013534/650 "2026-10-13T00:47:48Z")
> [@ZosterSandstorm](#): > > I didn’t really believe Talarico had a chance in Texas until the Republicans started flailing around with the fake mental institution story. **Their internal poll numbers must be showing something pretty bad for them.** Bolding is mine but this ^^^ I suspect they are seeing signs MAGA turnout is going to be crappy, not just in Texas but pretty much everywhere. ---
**Author:** ![PhillyGuy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ed655f/32.png) [@PhillyGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PhillyGuy)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2026, 1:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/senate-races-2026/1013534/651 "2026-10-13T01:42:42Z")
Is this on the three-way Montana race paranoid? [Dailoy Kos: WaPo Suggests the Democratic Candidate is a Plant](https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2026/10/10/800110429/community/mt-should-be-in-play-but-the-dem-senate-candidate-is-a-plant/) > [@](#): > > The independent in this race, Seth Bodnar, is an Angus King style Democrat, and the best hope our party has to win. . . . > > Bankhead could end up playing the spoiler, splitting the vote and helping elect a Republican. But she’s likely not being petty, like **[Jasmine Crockett](https://www.houstonpublicmedia.org/articles/news/politics/election-2026/2026/06/24/555425/james-talarico-jasmine-crockett-senate-race-texas-democrats/)** in Texas. The _Post_ raises some interesting questions about Bankhead’s political background. > > Bankead attended a very right-leaning church, she voted for John McCain, and published a book through a conservative publisher. Even her own husband reportedly isn’t sure whether she’s always been a Democrat. Just out today in the Daily Montanan: [Montana Democratic Party chairperson steps down, endorses independent US Senate candidate](https://dailymontanan.com/2026/10/12/montana-democratic-party-chairperson-steps-down-endorses-independent-us-senate-candidate/) ---
**Author:** ![Kolak\_of\_Twilo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kolak_of_twilo/32/73_2.png) [@Kolak\_of\_Twilo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kolak_of_Twilo)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2026, 2:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/senate-races-2026/1013534/652 "2026-10-13T02:32:38Z")
> [@PhillyGuy](#): > > Is this on the three-way Montana race paranoid? > > [Dailoy Kos: WaPo Suggests the Democratic Candidate is a Plant](https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2026/10/10/800110429/community/mt-should-be-in-play-but-the-dem-senate-candidate-is-a-plant/) I don’t see any reason to doubt Bankhead is a plant. She is basically an unknown and has no path to winning so she’s just a spoiler. As the article suggests, a possibly Musk bankrolled spoiler. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2026, 4:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/senate-races-2026/1013534/653 "2026-10-13T04:06:00Z")
> [@PhillyGuy](#): > > Is this on the three-way Montana race paranoid? Yeah, I doubt if she is a plant. And now the Dems are gonna split the vote, making it east for the GOP candidate. Bodnar could have run in the Democratic primary, why not? I mean it is not Bankhead who is the spoiler- it is Bodnar, if it was not for him, the Dems might have a slim chance of taking Montana. Bankhead won the primary, Bodnar won nothing. https://embed.reddit.com/r/YAPms/comments/1wv8ls8/seth_bodnar_should_drop_out_of_montana_senate/?embed=true&ref_source=embed&ref=share > [@Kolak\_of\_Twilo](#): > > As the article suggests, a possibly Musk bankrolled spoiler. With zero evidence. ---
**Author:** ![PhillyGuy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ed655f/32.png) [@PhillyGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PhillyGuy)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2026, 2:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/senate-races-2026/1013534/654 "2026-10-13T14:16:37Z")
> [@DrDeth](#): > > Bodnar could have run in the Democratic primary, why not? I read the WaPo article with public library access, so I can’t post here without the paywall. From that article: > [@](#): > > . . . most of the state’s big-name Democrats have endorsed Bodnar . . . > > Bodnar, 47, said in an interview that he wants to fix a broken two-party system that has “left Montanans behind” and hasn’t strictly adhered to either party line, opposing the war in Iran while supporting both gun and abortion rights. > > He said he would not caucus with either party and frequently tells audiences, “Montana deserves a senator who doesn’t work for [Senate Minority Leader] Chuck Schumer, and who’s not afraid of Donald Trump.” Is this plausible? Not really. It’s more plausible that Seth Bodnar thinks it no longer possible for a Democrat to win a Montana senate seat. Of course he made that decision before polling indicated this might be an exceptionally good year for Democrats. On the other side, the Washington Post story gives several reasons why Alani Bankhead, the Democrat, is a weak candidate. She emphasizes not having lived much in Montana despite it apparently being a state where being a native of the state is politically important. And she exaggerates AKA lies about her military record, saying she came under fire “all the time” when there is no evidence she ever did. ---
**Author:** ![JRDelirious](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jrdelirious/32/9531_2.png) [@JRDelirious](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JRDelirious)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2026, 4:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/senate-races-2026/1013534/655 "2026-10-13T16:53:10Z")
> [@bobot](#): > > But my point was that when Trump does that, it is always intentional Though he may be confused about **what** _is_ his intention, mind you. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2026, 7:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/senate-races-2026/1013534/656 "2026-10-13T19:01:41Z")
> [@PhillyGuy](#): > > It’s more plausible that Seth Bodnar thinks it no longer possible for a Democrat to win a Montana senate seat. That is plausible. > [@PhillyGuy](#): > > On the other side, the Washington Post story gives several reasons why Alani Bankhead, the Democrat, is a weak candidate. The voters choose her. ---
**Author:** ![Cardigan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cardigan/32/187_2.png) [@Cardigan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cardigan)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2026, 8:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/senate-races-2026/1013534/657 "2026-10-13T20:05:58Z")
I just love how Trump has now drawn _national attention_ to how Marshall hosed scores of his former patients with small outstanding medical bills. I’m sure Marshall is delighted as can be that Trump swooped in to his defense! LOL! ---
**Author:** ![Railer13](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/railer13/32/9742_2.png) [@Railer13](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Railer13)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2026, 8:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/senate-races-2026/1013534/658 "2026-10-13T20:18:32Z")
> [@Railer13](#): > > Trump said he will be holding a “Kansas Style Rally” to support Sen. Roger Marshall. It’s official…he’s coming to Wichita next Monday the 19th. Venue to be announced. There are two largeish arenas in Wichita, one of which can hold about 11k and the other about 15k. I am really hoping that the rally will not be at one of those places. No matter where it’s held, however, I managed to procure four tickets, which means there will be at least four empty seats while the orange liar speaks. ---
**Author:** ![Guest-starring\_Id](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guest-starring_id/32/21736_2.png) [@Guest-starring\_Id](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guest-starring_Id)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2026, 8:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/senate-races-2026/1013534/659 "2026-10-13T20:32:05Z")
> [@Railer13](#): > > I managed to procure four tickets, which means there will be at least four empty seats while the orange liar speaks. Aaaw not gonna take one for the team? 😛 ---
**Author:** ![Railer13](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/railer13/32/9742_2.png) [@Railer13](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Railer13)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2026, 8:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/senate-races-2026/1013534/660 "2026-10-13T20:45:41Z")
> [@Guest-starring\_Id](#): > > Aaaw not gonna take one for the team? No, but you are more than welcome to go in my stead! [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/senate-races-2026/1013534.md?page=32) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/senate-races-2026/1013534.md?page=34)