# 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:** 7
**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 15, 2026, 7:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/senate-races-2026/1013534/121 "2026-04-15T19:15:31Z")
In happier news: James Talarico says he’s raised $27 million in first three months of 2026, part of Democratic fundraising surge > **[James Talarico says he’s raised $27 million in first three months of 2026,...](https://www.cnn.com/2026/04/15/politics/talarico-democrats-senate-fundraising)** > > Texas Democratic Senate candidate James Talarico announced a first-quarter fundraising haul of more than $27 million on Wednesday, among the largest totals reported by a US Senate candidate. ---
**Author:** ![romansperson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/romansperson/32/17100_2.png) [@romansperson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/romansperson)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2026, 2:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/senate-races-2026/1013534/122 "2026-04-21T02:40:55Z")
> [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](#): > > _The Hill_: For Democrats, control of the Senate now in play NYT concurs. Let’s hope. (gift link) > **[Why a Democratic Senate, Once Unthinkable, Is a Real Possibility](https://www.nytimes.com/2026/04/20/upshot/democrats-senate-midterms-chances.html?unlocked_article_code=1.clA.b_WO.LbTQgpcmZCer&smid=url-share)** > > Helped by a favorable national environment and strong candidate recruitment, Democrats are tied or ahead in four Republican-held seats, polls show. ---
**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:** [April 21, 2026, 3:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/senate-races-2026/1013534/123 "2026-04-21T03:13:09Z")
And what’s worrisome is the possibility of a Supreme Court retirement or two to fire up the MAGA voters just before November elections. [https://thehill.com/homenews/senate/5837188-alito-retirement-gop-midterms/](https://thehill.com/homenews/senate/5837188-alito-retirement-gop-midterms/) ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2026, 3:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/senate-races-2026/1013534/124 "2026-04-21T03:16:08Z")
> [@romansperson](#): > > NYT concurs. Let’s hope. (gift link) Yes, but there is really no chance of 60 dem votes. But still, even with 51, things can get done. ---
**Author:** ![thorny\_locust](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thorny_locust/32/431_2.png) [@thorny\_locust](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thorny_locust)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2026, 12:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/senate-races-2026/1013534/125 "2026-04-21T12:12:24Z")
And other things can be stopped. ---
**Author:** ![Fretful\_Porpentine](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fretful_porpentine/32/2873_2.png) [@Fretful\_Porpentine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fretful_Porpentine)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2026, 12:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/senate-races-2026/1013534/126 "2026-04-21T12:35:17Z")
> [@Happy\_Lendervedder](#): > > And what’s worrisome is the possibility of a Supreme Court retirement or two to fire up the MAGA voters just before November elections. I suspect that could backfire rather spectacularly, although Trump probably would get another Supreme Court appointment out of it. One risk is that it fires up the wrong people. The other is that instead of sticking with normie, Federalist-Society-approved conservative judges like he did in his first term (he doesn’t seem to be very happy with the results, so far), he nominates someone whose only qualification is personal loyalty to him. Reminding people of just how much Trump wants to get rid of all the checks on his power just does not seem like a winning midterm strategy. ---
**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:** [April 21, 2026, 2:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/senate-races-2026/1013534/127 "2026-04-21T14:52:49Z")
> [@Fretful\_Porpentine](#): > > he nominates someone whose only qualification is personal loyalty to him Yep, “Aileen Cannon, Come On Down!!!” ---
**Author:** ![ThelmaLou](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thelmalou/32/390_2.png) [@ThelmaLou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThelmaLou)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2026, 3:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/senate-races-2026/1013534/128 "2026-04-21T15:30:33Z")
I’m sure she’s counting on that. ---
**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 22, 2026, 6:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/senate-races-2026/1013534/129 "2026-04-22T18:51:20Z")
[_NYT_: Graham Platner Went to Hell and Back. He Has a Simple Message for Democrats.](https://www.nytimes.com/2026/04/22/opinion/graham-platner-forever-war-trump.html?campaign_id=60&emc=edit_na_20260422&instance_id=174480&nl=breaking-news®i_id=93195952&segment_id=218630&user_id=2f46accd660355dba2a0b0508ce3fa3d) ---
**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:** [April 22, 2026, 7:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/senate-races-2026/1013534/130 "2026-04-22T19:19:07Z")
Can’t read behind the paywall. Summary please? ---
**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:** [April 22, 2026, 7:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/senate-races-2026/1013534/131 "2026-04-22T19:35:16Z")
[Here is a free gift link.](https://www.nytimes.com/2026/04/22/opinion/graham-platner-forever-war-trump.html?unlocked_article_code=1.c1A.amVM.tHrv3K9SaOo5&smid=url-share) And here is a quote from the article that pretty much states the core argument that the Democrats need to be an antiwar party. > Yes, we have prevented another catastrophic attack in the 25 years since Sept. 11. To do that, we spent more than $6 trillion fighting wars that killed over 7,000 Americans and hundreds of thousands of civilians, inflicting trauma on countless people. The destruction has displaced tens of millions; as refugees sought safety in the West, it fueled a right-wing backlash to democracy. Meanwhile, what have we built in Afghanistan, Iraq, Yemen, Somalia, Libya and now Iran? And what could we have built at home with those trillions of dollars? > > Visceral outrage over that reality infuses Mr. Platner’s opposition to the war in Iran. Sure, at campaign stops, he talks about high gas prices and the Trump administration’s incompetence. But the core of his message is an unflinching disgust for the forever war we have waged since 9/11. “Nobody is going to be able to convince me that what I did in Iraq and Afghanistan did anything for the people of Sullivan, Maine,” he told me, punctuating his point with an obscenity. “I don’t want other young Americans to go through what I’ve been through. And I don’t want to send other young Americans to inflict the horror that I had to inflict on people.” ---
**Author:** ![Lord\_Feldon](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lord_feldon/32/341_2.png) [@Lord\_Feldon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lord_Feldon)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2026, 1:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/senate-races-2026/1013534/132 "2026-04-30T13:06:19Z")
[Janet Mills has suspended her campaign](https://janetmills.com/governor-mills-statement-suspending-candidacy-for-u-s-senate/), citing a lack of funds. ---
**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 30, 2026, 2:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/senate-races-2026/1013534/133 "2026-04-30T14:40:43Z")
Linky no worky for me. Here’s NBC’s coverage: Maine Gov. Janet Mills suspends Senate campaign, clearing Democratic path for Graham Platner > **[Maine Gov. Janet Mills suspends Senate campaign, clearing Democratic path for...](https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/2026-election/maine-gov-janet-mills-suspends-senate-campaign-rcna342859)** > > Polls had consistently shown Mills trailing oyster farmer Graham Platner in the Democratic primary. Republican Sen. Susan Collins awaits in the general election. ---
**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:** [May 11, 2026, 2:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/senate-races-2026/1013534/134 "2026-05-11T02:06:47Z")
CNN: Democrats’ John Fetterman headaches aren’t over What if he became a Republican? > **[Democrats’ John Fetterman headaches aren’t over | CNN Politics](https://www.cnn.com/2026/05/08/politics/john-fetterman-democrats-headache)** > > A highly unwelcome prospect has crept into Democrats’ heads in recent days: Sen. John Fetterman could complicate their already difficult path to the majority by switching parties. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2026, 3:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/senate-races-2026/1013534/135 "2026-05-11T03:06:03Z")
> [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](#): > > What if he became a Republican? He wont. Not in a million years. What he may do is declare Indy, like Sanders- then he would likely still caucus with the Dems- like Sanders. That is unlikely as Collins changing to Dem. (Altho she could also go Indy if she wins, but she will caucus with the GOP) ---
**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:** [May 11, 2026, 3:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/senate-races-2026/1013534/136 "2026-05-11T03:49:10Z")
> [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](#): > > CNN: Democrats’ John Fetterman headaches aren’t over > > What if he became a Republican? > > [https://www.cnn.com/2026/05/08/politics/john-fetterman-democrats-headache](https://www.cnn.com/2026/05/08/politics/john-fetterman-democrats-headache) He has broke with the party on some key votes but he still votes with them the majority of the time. It wouldn’t make sense for him to be a republican unless he changes a hell of a lot more. ---
**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:** [May 11, 2026, 11:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/senate-races-2026/1013534/137 "2026-05-11T11:57:33Z")
He has said he won’t do it because of having so many policy differences with the Republicans. I think he’ll just be a fly in the ointment on some key issues, much like Manchin and Sinema were. ---
**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:** [May 18, 2026, 1:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/senate-races-2026/1013534/138 "2026-05-18T01:32:56Z")
I hope you’re right, but I wouldn’t be terribly surprised if, in some future political confrontation and/or fit of pique, he crossed the aisle. Meanwhile, in the Buckeye State: > **[Comeback kid or ‘political cicada’? Sherrod Brown tries to find his way back...](https://www.cnn.com/2026/05/17/politics/sherrod-brown-jon-husted-ohio-senate-democrats-midterms)** > > Sherrod Brown stood in front of dozens of supporters at a suburban watering hole, talking glowingly about his final day in the US Senate in 2024. ---
**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:** [May 19, 2026, 6:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/senate-races-2026/1013534/139 "2026-05-19T18:19:02Z")
And in the Lone Star State, Trump is being, well, Trump: > **[Trump endorses Paxton, upending Senate GOP plans in Texas race | CNN Politics](https://www.cnn.com/2026/05/19/politics/cornyn-paxton-trump-texas-endorse)** > > President Donald Trump on Tuesday endorsed Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton in his primary challenge to Sen. John Cornyn, dealing a massive blow to the incumbent with major implications in the fight for the Senate majority. ---
**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:** [May 19, 2026, 6:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/senate-races-2026/1013534/140 "2026-05-19T18:56:29Z")
Ah someone’s feeling a little fancy after taking out Cassidy. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/senate-races-2026/1013534.md?page=6) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/senate-races-2026/1013534.md?page=8)