# 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:** 6
**Author:** ![PhillyGuy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ed655f/32.png) [@PhillyGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PhillyGuy)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2026, 1:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/senate-races-2026/1013534/101 "2026-03-11T01:15:22Z")
> [@Chronos](#): > > Everyone hunts in Montana. No non-hunter would stand a chance in any race, for any party. Hmm. The only Democratic Party primary candidate who has won a race for office before is [Reilly Neill](https://reillyformontana.com/meet-reilly/). Neither ChatGPT nor Gemini can find evidence of her being a hunter, and Gemini claims she was a conservationist in favor for protecting wolves from hunters when in the Montana legislature. Maybe I’m being a little silly, and the AI’s don’t have evidence that Trump-endorsed Republican-primary-shoo-in (due to the dirty trick) candidate Kurt Alme hunts either. But it could be in the public interest for her to drop out after winning the primary, endorsing the independent. Yes this sucks. ---
**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:** [March 11, 2026, 1:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/senate-races-2026/1013534/102 "2026-03-11T01:43:33Z")
Yeah, among Montana Democrats, conservation and environmentalism is often a big motivator. Preserve the Great Outdoors, so we can continue to go enjoy it. Such as by hunting. Or fishing, or hiking, or skiing, or camping, or whatever. All of those are pretty big, too. ---
**Author:** ![Jas09](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/d07c76/32.png) [@Jas09](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jas09)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2026, 1:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/senate-races-2026/1013534/103 "2026-03-11T13:44:48Z")
There is the potential for a similar dynamic in the Kansas Senate race, where megachurch pastor Adam Hamilton is considering an independent run for Senate. The buzz amongst my family in the area (some of whom are members of the church) is that he is a pretty liberal guy, but can’t stomach putting the Democrat label on his campaign. It will be interesting to see if either of these campaigns get any traction, or start a trend towards candidates that reject certain aspects of the major parties and decide to run as independents instead. Personally I prefer a big-tent party system where there are clear lanes within the party rather than heterodox parties. But the days of Blue Dog Democrats and Rockefeller Republicans seems to have passed. ---
**Author:** ![Red\_Wiggler](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/red_wiggler/32/13190_2.png) [@Red\_Wiggler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Red_Wiggler)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2026, 12:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/senate-races-2026/1013534/104 "2026-03-12T12:08:53Z")
I’m very ready to give a multi-party democracy a chance and, judging by the increased number of unaffiliated voters, so is the country. ---
**Author:** ![PhillyGuy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ed655f/32.png) [@PhillyGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PhillyGuy)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2026, 5:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/senate-races-2026/1013534/105 "2026-03-12T17:54:47Z")
Re last post, if someone could show me that the percent of voters who register and vote for parties other than the Democratic or Republican is rising, I would agree that the U.S. is going in a more than two party direction. But U.S. third parties I can think of (Green, Libertarian, Reform, Constitution, Socialist, Communist) seem to be gone or weakening. As for candidates running as independents for U.S. Senate this year (Dan [Osborn](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dan_Osborn) in Nebraska, Ty [Pinkins](https://www.typinkins.com/post/why-i-m-leaving-the-democratic-party-and-running-as-an-independent) in Mississippi, and Seth Bodnar in Montana), they would organize with the Democrats if elected, just like currently serving supposed independents Bernie Sanders and Angus King. In as much as they are more different from a typical Democrat than is Sanders and King, it is because they are politically to the right of Sanders and King, and not because they are starting, or part of, a new party. ---
**Author:** ![PatrickLondon](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/patricklondon/32/4422_2.png) [@PatrickLondon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PatrickLondon)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2026, 6:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/senate-races-2026/1013534/106 "2026-03-12T18:06:43Z")
> [@PhillyGuy](#): > > the percent of voters who register and vote for parties other than the Democratic or Republican It’s not meaningless to consider the percentage of those who register but don’t vote. Where’s the legitimacy in a “victory” that, e.g. in the UK, can only claim the support of barely a quarter of the electorate? That’s been an underlying issue here since 1974 or so, and much more visibly and acutely in this century. ---
**Author:** ![Thing.Fish](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thing.fish/32/9168_2.png) [@Thing.Fish](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thing.Fish)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2026, 6:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/senate-races-2026/1013534/107 "2026-03-12T18:59:24Z")
Big Illinois Senate primary in progress, voting ends 3/17. We are replacing the very elderly Dick Durbin, who was pretty consistently liberal but hasn’t quite seemed to grasp the urgency of the current crisis. Unfortunately, it appears we are likely to nominate Raja Krishnamoorthi, a useless establishment Dem who takes money not only from AIPAC, but also from Hindu nationalist groups linked to right-wing Indian PM Modi. If this happens, it will likely be because the progressive vote was split between two excellent and highly qualified candidates in Lt Gov Julia Stratton and Representative Robin Kelly. The biggest difference between the two AFAICT is that Kelly supports an immediate cutoff of arms sales to Israel, while Stratton does not. However, although I agree with Kelly on that issue, I will likely be voting for Stratton, since although there’s not as much polling as I would like, what there is seems to clearly point to her being more likely than Kelly to beat Raja. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2026, 7:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/senate-races-2026/1013534/108 "2026-03-12T19:01:51Z")
> [@Red\_Wiggler](#): > > I’m very ready to give a multi-party democracy a chance and, judging by the increased number of unaffiliated voters, so is the country. Yeah, it is no improvement. Boris Johnson, Netanyahu . It is all politics. ---
**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:** [March 14, 2026, 5:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/senate-races-2026/1013534/109 "2026-03-14T17:58:57Z")
Given the volume of ads Raja has been running for weeks it is clear he is the establishment candidate. I will be voting for Stratton as well. ---
**Author:** ![Thing.Fish](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thing.fish/32/9168_2.png) [@Thing.Fish](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thing.Fish)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2026, 2:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/senate-races-2026/1013534/110 "2026-03-15T02:29:15Z")
Yes, it’s less than convincing when you’re running multiple ads per hour in prime time telling people that you are a plucky underdog. ---
**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:** [March 17, 2026, 4:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/senate-races-2026/1013534/111 "2026-03-17T16:46:43Z")
[_The Hill_: For Democrats, control of the Senate now in play](https://thehill.com/opinion/campaign/5776253-democrats-house-senate-chances/?link_id=7&can_id=523afdad635941b18cb4d7c4672ac33a&source=email-ccpc-recommended-157&email_referrer=email_3148039&email_subject=ccpc-recommended&&) ---
**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:** [March 18, 2026, 2:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/senate-races-2026/1013534/112 "2026-03-18T02:29:10Z")
It appears Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton has a substantial lead in the Illinois Democratic primary. If the lead holds, it is likely she will win in the Fall. This would be the first time 3 African-American women are serving at the same time in the U.S. Senate. ---
**Author:** ![Win\_Place\_Show](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/win_place_show/32/13469_2.png) [@Win\_Place\_Show](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Win_Place_Show)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2026, 2:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/senate-races-2026/1013534/113 "2026-03-18T02:30:23Z")
> [@Thing.Fish](#): > > Unfortunately, it appears we are likely to nominate Raja Krishnamoorthi, a useless establishment Dem who takes money not only from AIPAC, but also from Hindu nationalist groups linked to right-wing Indian PM Modi. Looks like Illinois scored one for the Good Guys™ tonight after all. > **[Illinois Senate Primary Election 2026 Live Results](https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/2026-primary-elections/illinois-senate-results)** > > See live results from the 2026 Illinois Senate primary election as Republican and Democratic votes are counted by candidate and county. ---
**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:** [March 18, 2026, 2:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/senate-races-2026/1013534/114 "2026-03-18T02:35:29Z")
Yep. Krishnamoorthi is giving his concession speech as I type this post. Fingers crossed Kat Abughazaleh pulls out a win in Illinois’ 9th Congressional District. Very tight race. ---
**Author:** ![dtilque](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/d6d6ee/32.png) [@dtilque](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dtilque)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2026, 6:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/senate-races-2026/1013534/115 "2026-03-30T06:44:37Z")
Good news for the Democrats from Alaska: Peltola(D) is leading Sullivan(R) in recent polls for Sullivan’s Senate seat. It’s not by a huge margin (about 4 points) but considering it’s Alaska, it’s about as good as it will likely get. > **[AK-Sen: New Poll Has Former Rep. Mary Peltola (D) Leading Sen. Dan Sullivan...](https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2026/3/29/2375397/-AK-Sen-New-Poll-Has-Former-Rep-Mary-Peltola-D-Leading-Sen-Dan-Sullivan-R-52-47)** > > Hope everyone had a great No Kings Day yesterday. Have some more good news today for you all out of Alaska: Here’s a big reason Sullivan is unpopular in Alaska: But they have reason to believe, from Sullivan’s own testimony and voting record, that... Meanwhile, in California, FBI director Trump lickspittle Kash Patel is trying to dig up 10-year-old dirt on Eric Swalwell, who’s running for Governor. Give that it’s California, this may actually give Swalwell a boost in the polls. Which he could use, since right now, the two leading the polls are both Republicans. The Democratic field is too crowded and that could hurt them with the top-two-advance primary system California has. > **[CA-Gov: Trump's Keystone Cop's Pathetically Idiotic Move To F\*\*\* With The...](https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2026/3/29/2375402/-CA-Gov-Trump-s-Keystone-Cop-s-Pathetically-Idiotic-Move-To-F-With-California-Governor-s-Race)** > > This is just fucking pathetic: FBI Director Kash Patel is pressing to release a decade-old investigative file involving Rep. Eric Swalwell (D-California) and a suspected Chinese intelligence operative, recently dispatching agents in the bureau’s... ---
**Author:** ![Red\_Wiggler](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/red_wiggler/32/13190_2.png) [@Red\_Wiggler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Red_Wiggler)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2026, 11:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/senate-races-2026/1013534/116 "2026-03-31T11:53:48Z")
This is indeed a pretty amazing turnaround, though it’s far from being in the bag. Roy Cooper is currently leading his Republican opponent by 18! points in North Carolina polling. That’s a blowout in a fitty fitty state. ---
**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:** [April 2, 2026, 3:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/senate-races-2026/1013534/117 "2026-04-02T03:47:20Z")
And check out this: CNN: Not just the base: Democrats in recent elections are flipping independent and Republican votes > **[Not just the base: Democrats in recent elections are flipping independent and...](https://www.cnn.com/2026/04/01/politics/democrats-elections-flip-seats)** > > Two special election victories in Florida provided more evidence that the Democratic success in elections since Donald Trump’s return to the White House rests not just on a motivated base but also on winning over Republicans and independents. ---
**Author:** ![nearwildheaven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/90db22/32.png) [@nearwildheaven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nearwildheaven)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2026, 10:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/senate-races-2026/1013534/118 "2026-04-11T22:44:47Z")
And the 10-year-old dirt on Swalwell is accusations of rape. MHO: If they were true, they should have been exposed when he briefly tossed his hat into the presidential ring in 2020. His video does strongly imply that he had been unfaithful to his wife, but they had dealt with it, and also MHO that’s between them if it didn’t affect his job. ---
**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:** [April 11, 2026, 11:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/senate-races-2026/1013534/119 "2026-04-11T23:05:36Z")
> [@nearwildheaven](#): > > MHO: If they were true, they should have been exposed when he briefly tossed his hat into the presidential ring in 2020. And if they’d been exposed then, people would be saying that they should have been exposed when he ran for the House. You want rapists to be exposed? First step: Create a culture where accusations of rape will be taken seriously and believed. ---
**Author:** ![Tamerlane](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tamerlane/32/7602_2.png) [@Tamerlane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tamerlane)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2026, 1:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/senate-races-2026/1013534/120 "2026-04-12T01:27:46Z")
> [@nearwildheaven](#): > > If they were true, they should have been exposed when he briefly tossed his hat into the presidential ring in 2020. Shit was going down in 2019, but the purported victim was pretty uncertain where she stood. [However the main purported rape happened in 2024](https://www.cnn.com/2026/04/10/us/eric-swalwell-sexual-misconduct-allegations-invs). It makes for pretty grim reading. With multiple people confirming they were told the story in the aftermath, including proof of an STD check, plus multiple women accusing him of recurrent and matching patterns of sexual harassment, well… I think he’s toast. His political career is likely gone at the very least. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/senate-races-2026/1013534.md?page=5) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/senate-races-2026/1013534.md?page=7)