# 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:** 73
**Author:** ![Procrustus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/procrustus/32/2994_2.png) [@Procrustus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Procrustus)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2026, 5:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/senate-races-2026/1013534/1442 "2026-11-03T17:37:46Z")
> [@DrDeth](#): > > Texas aint going Blue. The GOP nominated a horrible Senate candidate, which means Talarico has a decent chance. The state remains a GOP block. You are probably correct. But I thought the Governor’s race might be in play too. No? ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2026, 5:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/senate-races-2026/1013534/1443 "2026-11-03T17:39:52Z")
> [@Procrustus](#): > > You are probably correct. But I thought the Governor’s race might be in play too. No? In play? Sure. But very doubtful. ---
**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:** [November 3, 2026, 6:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/senate-races-2026/1013534/1444 "2026-11-03T18:04:42Z")
> [@DrDeth](#): > > Texas aint going Blue. The GOP nominated a horrible Senate candidate, which means Talarico has a decent chance. The state remains a GOP block. Agree. Hell, the very own Republicans in TX tried and _failed_ to remove Paxton and are currently reduced to virtue signaling about a candidate for Rail Commissioner or something like that. ---
**Author:** ![Hawkeyeop](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/958977/32.png) [@Hawkeyeop](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hawkeyeop)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2026, 6:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/senate-races-2026/1013534/1445 "2026-11-03T18:19:25Z")
Abbott is favorited but Democrats have a legitimate shot. Maybe 1 in 3. Not impossible Democrats sweep the statewide races. ---
**Author:** ![hajario](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hajario/32/171_2.png) [@hajario](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hajario)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2026, 6:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/senate-races-2026/1013534/1446 "2026-11-03T18:32:57Z")
> [@Thing.Fish](#): > > I think we should have an omnibus thread devoted to actually following the election results as they come in. At your service > [@USA Election Watch 2026](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/usa-election-watch-2026/1034377): > > This thread is to discuss the results of today’s midterm elections as they are announced and things related to it like turnout, polling and what’s happening at polling places. This is not for political debates about the candidates or other major issues. ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2026, 6:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/senate-races-2026/1013534/1447 "2026-11-03T18:56:13Z")
Turn out at our polling place is very high so far. More than a normal election day’s votes by noon. Though Booker looks to be re-elected by a lot in NJ. ---
**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:** [November 3, 2026, 8:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/senate-races-2026/1013534/1448 "2026-11-03T20:00:28Z")
I took some heat in (I think) this thread for saying I wouldn’t vote for Josh Turek if I lived in Iowa because he’s a transphobic extremist. “Vote blue no matter who” and all that. Well, Turek just confirmed that he voted for multiple Republicans when he filled out his ballot this morning, so let me reiterate: Fuck that guy. ---
**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:** [November 3, 2026, 10:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/senate-races-2026/1013534/1449 "2026-11-03T22:59:05Z")
Smart strategy in a red state. Inshallah he wins and then can use perception as an independent guy to be pretty close to the Dem mainstream on a lot of issues a la Jon Tester. ---
**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:** [November 3, 2026, 11:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/senate-races-2026/1013534/1450 "2026-11-03T23:01:08Z")
Don’t recall Jon Tester ever bragging about voting for Republicans. ---
**Author:** ![DSeid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dseid/32/20194_2.png) [@DSeid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DSeid)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2026, 1:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/senate-races-2026/1013534/1451 "2026-11-04T01:09:43Z")
> [@Thing.Fish](#): > > just confirmed that he voted for multiple Republicans when he filled out his ballot this morning > [@DeadTreasSecretaries](#): > > Smart strategy in a red state. You know when voted the other day, in suburban Cook, there were many votes to cast that only had a Democratic candidate running. A Republican voting there could leave it blank or vote D. Him bragging that he voted R when for some items R was the only choice, yeah it is smart politics there. I get your concern about him. Let’s hope his actual actions reassure after he (hopefully from my POV) wins. ---
**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:** [November 4, 2026, 1:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/senate-races-2026/1013534/1452 "2026-11-04T01:15:35Z")
As I said before, if there is only a Republican candidate for the office I don’t vote. ---
**Author:** ![DSeid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dseid/32/20194_2.png) [@DSeid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DSeid)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2026, 1:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/senate-races-2026/1013534/1453 "2026-11-04T01:29:28Z")
Yeah. I probably wouldn’t either. But if I was a Democratic politician in Iowa wanting to convince my voters that I was an independent minded person … I’d vote R for water reclamation or what have you. ---
**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:** [November 4, 2026, 1:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/senate-races-2026/1013534/1454 "2026-11-04T01:32:58Z")
He doesn’t have to actually vote for Rs. Just say he did (presuming it’s good strategy). ---
**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:** [November 4, 2026, 1:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/senate-races-2026/1013534/1455 "2026-11-04T01:57:06Z")
I just saw something that Iowa looks to be flipping. South Carolina is looking interesting for Dems too. (Is this the place where people are taking about returns?) I’m with my mom in the ER tonight and haven’t been able to do much looking around for a discussion) ---
**Author:** ![Atamasama](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/atamasama/32/12961_2.png) [@Atamasama](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atamasama)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2026, 1:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/senate-races-2026/1013534/1456 "2026-11-04T01:57:58Z")
> [@Happy\_Lendervedder](#): > > (Is this the place where people are taking about returns?) I’m with my mom in the ER tonight and haven’t been able to do much looking around for a discussion) You want this thread. Warning, it’s very busy as you’d imagine. > [@USA Election Watch 2026](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/usa-election-watch-2026/1034377/): > > This thread is to discuss the results of today’s midterm elections as they are announced and things related to it like turnout, polling and what’s happening at polling places. This is not for political debates about the candidates or other major issues. ---
**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:** [November 4, 2026, 2:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/senate-races-2026/1013534/1457 "2026-11-04T02:06:49Z")
A snippet from an interview a little while back with Abdul El-Sayed that made me recall why I like him so much, and think he might be a special political talent: > **[Charlie Warzel (@cwarzel.bsky.social)](https://bsky.app/profile/cwarzel.bsky.social/post/3mwqqoaue6k24)** > > There is a moment at the very very end of Abdul El-Sayed's podcast with Ezra Klein (book recommendation section) where he talks about the idea of "speaking truth to pain" and this will be staying with me for an extremely long time.... > But there’s also something about truth to pain. We talk a lot about truth to power, but I think it’s actually a lot harder to speak truth to pain. I say that as someone who went to medical school, realizing that in a lot of our politics right now, we’ve got to get a lot better at speaking truth to pain if we’re going to get through some of these challenges that we have. > **What does “truth to pain” mean?** > It’s one thing to look power in the eye and say: You’re wrong about this. But there’s a way in which pain is very difficult to reason with. Because when somebody is in their pain, they’re in their trauma. They see that pain, and they may not see what’s causing it. > I remember just very explicitly being in a trauma ward with a gunshot wound patient and watching this big guy with his hand on his gunshot wound. All the folks are trying to pull his hand off his pain, that point of his gunshot wound, this clear vulnerability. > And this emergency room doctor had the presence of mind to be like: Everyone, stop. And she looks him in the eyes, and she’s like: I get that really hurts, and I’m so sorry that you’re here. You don’t want to be here. We don’t want you to be here. But if you don’t let us fix this, you could die. So I’m going to take your hand, and I’m going to move it off, OK? Because I need to get there so that you can live. > She was speaking truth to pain. He understands he’s at the hospital, he needs care, but he also doesn’t want anybody to touch the wound. Which is a natural thing. And I think it is a really great metaphor for how we think about a lot of these challenges we talked about today. ---
**Author:** ![Lantern2](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lantern2/32/3010_2.png) [@Lantern2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lantern2)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2026, 5:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/senate-races-2026/1013534/1458 "2026-11-04T05:02:04Z")
What are the implications of the Texas breakthrough for Presidential elections in the future ? Will Texas become genuinely competitive and how will that change the electoral map ? My hunch is that Texas might become the new Florida, Democrats will become genuinely competitive and might even win when they win big elsewhere but in a close election when it really matters it probably won’t deliver for them. ---
**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:** [November 4, 2026, 6:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/senate-races-2026/1013534/1459 "2026-11-04T06:10:32Z")
> [@Lantern2](#): > > My hunch is that Texas might become the new Florida, Meanwhile Florida has been for years steadily trending towards becoming the new Texas. If both of those trends hold (always a big if), that’s a net gain for the Democrats. ---
**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:** [November 4, 2026, 6:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/senate-races-2026/1013534/1460 "2026-11-04T06:31:32Z")
> [@DrDeth](#): > > Texas aint going Blue. The GOP nominated a horrible Senate candidate, which means Talarico has a decent chance. The state remains a GOP block. Quite a bit of a whiff here. Senator, Gov., Lt Gov., State Supremes, etc, etc. all go D. I wouldn’t have done much better. ---
**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:** [November 4, 2026, 6:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/senate-races-2026/1013534/1461 "2026-11-04T06:32:47Z")
And AES is giving a victory speech right now at 1:31am in Detroit. So there’s that. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/senate-races-2026/1013534.md?page=72) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/senate-races-2026/1013534.md?page=74)