# 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:** 4
**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:** [August 30, 2025, 12:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/senate-races-2026/1013534/61 "2025-08-30T00:38:17Z")
Yes, there are exceptions. But not nearly as likely in a statewide election such as the US Senate. ---
**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:** [August 30, 2025, 4:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/senate-races-2026/1013534/62 "2025-08-30T16:33:10Z")
> [@dtilque](#): > > …but will not have her baggage What? What’s with just a little bragging about being the bestest pig de-baller, along with the reassuring bromide that “we’re all going to die”. I mean… 🤪 ---
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2025, 4:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/senate-races-2026/1013534/63 "2025-09-23T16:34:43Z")
Glad to see this: > **[Analysis: Democrats are doing better than ever in Trump-era special elections...](https://www.cnn.com/2025/09/10/politics/democrats-special-elections-trump)** > > Rep.-elect James Walkinshaw won a special election Tuesday by 50 points. It’s just the latest Democratic over-performance. ---
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2025, 4:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/senate-races-2026/1013534/64 "2025-09-23T16:40:13Z")
> [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](#): > > Do we have a “House races 2026” thread? I can’t find it. Aaaaaaaand now we do: [US House races 2026](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/us-house-races-2026/1023336) ---
**Author:** ![jsc1953](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/5daacb/32.png) [@jsc1953](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jsc1953)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2025, 12:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/senate-races-2026/1013534/65 "2025-09-26T00:40:35Z")
> [@GailForce](#): > > Can someone explain why Collins is a sure shot in Maine? It’s a pretty Democratic state in national elections in recent years and she’s very unpopular with Dems ( in my household anyway) We happen to be vacationing in Portland ME today. We saw a wall poster advertising a town hall tonight for Graham Platner, Dem for Senate. My wife thought it would be fun. I thought there would be 6 people there, 2 of whom can’t even vote in Maine (us). We drove to the site and there was a traffic jam trying to get there and all the parking lots were full. We decided to pass so that actual Maine voters could get in. I took this as a good sign. ---
**Author:** ![Jackmannii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackmannii/32/311_2.png) [@Jackmannii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackmannii)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2025, 10:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/senate-races-2026/1013534/66 "2025-10-02T22:47:28Z")
A recent poll shows Daniel Cameron still leading Andy Barr in the race for the G.O.P. '26 nomination for Kentucky senator, though the gap has narrowed to 8 points. [https://fox56news.com/news/kentucky/new-poll-released-for-kentucky-senate-gop-primary/](https://fox56news.com/news/kentucky/new-poll-released-for-kentucky-senate-gop-primary/) Barr has hauled in over 3X the campaign $$ as Cameron, so that could be the difference maker, apart from who makes the loudest slurping sounds in sucking up to Trump. On the Democratic side, there now are an ex-Secret Service agent and an ex-C.I.A. agent running, along with a state representative. > **[Kentucky U.S. Senate race gains Democratic momentum as two new candidates enter](https://www.lex18.com/news/covering-kentucky/kentucky-u-s-senate-race-gains-democratic-momentum-as-two-new-candidates-enter)** > > The Kentucky U.S. Senate race has become more competitive on the Democratic side after two new candidates announced their campaigns last week. ---
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2025, 9:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/senate-races-2026/1013534/67 "2025-10-14T21:16:04Z")
The latest from the Pine Tree State: > **[Maine Gov. Janet Mills’ bid for Senate reignites Democrats’ age debate | CNN...](https://www.cnn.com/2025/10/14/politics/janet-mills-maine-senate-age-debate)** > > In many ways, Janet Mills is the ideal Democratic recruit to take on Republican Sen. Susan Collins, a fifth-term moderate with a track record of beating well-funded challengers. Mills is a two-term governor with a history of outperforming her party... ---
**Author:** ![jsc1953](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/5daacb/32.png) [@jsc1953](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jsc1953)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2025, 4:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/senate-races-2026/1013534/68 "2025-10-15T16:38:02Z")
I love Gov Mills for her “See you in court” defiance of Trump…but there’s a solution to the Democrats’ problem of age vs new generation, progressive vs moderates: Primaries. Wish we’d thought of that in the presidential race last year. ---
**Author:** ![ShadowFacts](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/shadowfacts/32/2934_2.png) [@ShadowFacts](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ShadowFacts)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2025, 5:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/senate-races-2026/1013534/69 "2025-10-15T17:27:44Z")
In Democratic Senate news, [MA Congressman Seth Moulton is mounting a primary challenge to MA Senator Ed Markey](https://www.wbur.org/news/2025/10/15/seth-moulton-us-senate-ed-markey-massachusetts-candidate). Moulton is 46; Markey is 79. Moulton is framing this as a call for younger leadership in the Dem party. It will also be something of a centrist vs. liberal battle, just like the last time this seat was challenged by Joe Kennedy. Markey wiped the floor with Kennedy then, but that was 5 years ago and I think it’s safe to say that the political landscape is different, with a lot of more liberal Democratic voters clamoring for a passing of the torch (in general, not specifically about Markey, who remains popular in MA). ---
**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 16, 2025, 3:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/senate-races-2026/1013534/70 "2025-10-16T03:09:24Z")
Yup, more D voters will likely be looking at the age of the candidate in the coming primaries. It has become a serious issue. ---
**Author:** ![DeadTreasSecretaries](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/deadtreassecretaries/32/4817_2.png) [@DeadTreasSecretaries](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DeadTreasSecretaries)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2025, 7:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/senate-races-2026/1013534/71 "2025-10-17T19:27:41Z")
Joe Kennedy wasn’t really a centrist. He was mostly progressive in his (short) tenure but being a kennedy who had the blessing of party leadership and appeared to be in the process of being groomed to be the next obama, he had less credility for dem primary voters. Moulton is actually about as conservative as you can get for a Massachusetts Democrat. I understand there are plenty of swing races where you need to be that conservative to win, but the MA senate is not one of them. If (as Moulton claims) you need to appeal to moderates to win his house seat then he should stay in the house. A Democrat needs to be colosally inept to lose a senate race here. That said, Markey is 80. Someone told me a long time ago that 90% of life is showing up and I’m not convinced Market can do that into 2032. I really hope anyone else runs because both of these guys would be awful choices. ---
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2025, 4:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/senate-races-2026/1013534/72 "2025-10-19T04:46:37Z")
Nitpick: Markey is actually 79. He’ll turn 80 next July. ---
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [October 22, 2025, 4:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/senate-races-2026/1013534/73 "2025-10-22T16:39:56Z")
Oh, no: > **[Maine Senate candidate Platner says tattoo recognized as Nazi symbol has been...](https://www.aol.com/articles/maine-senate-candidate-platner-says-140158460.html)** > > His U.S. Senate campaign under fire, Maine Democrat Graham Platner said Wednesday that a tattoo on his chest has been covered to no longer reflect an image widely recognized as a Nazi symbol. The first-time political candidate said he got the skull... ---
**Author:** ![iiandyiiii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/iiandyiiii/32/7924_2.png) [@iiandyiiii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iiandyiiii)\ **Post date:** [October 22, 2025, 5:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/senate-races-2026/1013534/74 "2025-10-22T17:02:44Z")
Jesus. Thankfully, there are other Democrats running. Not the best Democrats, but at least they don’t have Nazi tattoos. ---
**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 23, 2025, 4:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/senate-races-2026/1013534/75 "2025-10-23T04:01:57Z")
Was he considered a potential front runner? From what I’ve read his explanations about this seem a bit disingenuous. ---
**Author:** ![Johanna](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johanna/32/8318_2.png) [@Johanna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johanna)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2025, 4:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/senate-races-2026/1013534/76 "2025-10-23T04:25:23Z")
“Hans, are we the baddies?” ---
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2025, 2:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/senate-races-2026/1013534/77 "2025-10-23T14:59:28Z")
> [@Kolak\_of\_Twilo](#): > > Was he considered a potential front runner? From what I’ve read his explanations about this seem a bit disingenuous. Yes and yes. ---
**Author:** ![IkesAcolyte](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ikesacolyte/32/19012_2.png) [@IkesAcolyte](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/IkesAcolyte)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2025, 3:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/senate-races-2026/1013534/78 "2025-10-23T15:01:54Z")
The fact that the DNC and Bernie have been defensive of Platner and his tattoo is the most disappointing part of this whole ordeal. ---
**Author:** ![DeadTreasSecretaries](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/deadtreassecretaries/32/4817_2.png) [@DeadTreasSecretaries](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DeadTreasSecretaries)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2025, 3:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/senate-races-2026/1013534/79 "2025-10-23T15:12:13Z")
It’s weird. We’re months before the primary campaigns really start. Perfect time to have dirty laundry get out now and have people just accept it as disqualifying rather than having to explain this in a general election campaign to someone who voted for Susan Collins 6 years ago. Even the most innocuous possible explanation at this point is going to mean you’re explaining your nazi tattoo to voters instead of anything good about your candidacy. ---
**Author:** ![iiandyiiii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/iiandyiiii/32/7924_2.png) [@iiandyiiii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iiandyiiii)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2025, 3:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/senate-races-2026/1013534/80 "2025-10-23T15:25:01Z")
The DNC has? Cite? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/senate-races-2026/1013534.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/senate-races-2026/1013534.md?page=5)