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CBS News' Battleground Tracker polling is backmost for 2026, capturing what's connected voters' minds and the cardinal groups to ticker seashore to coast, arsenic good arsenic what it means for districts, spot estimates and power of the U.S. House of Representatives.
Every territory and authorities matters, but CBS News besides identifies 9 cardinal Senate and 42 House races that volition apt determine the bulk — each of which tin alteration arsenic the run rolls on.
Democrats and Republicans are focusing connected a tiny fig of races successful the House and the Senate arsenic they combat for power of Congress successful the midterm elections this fall.
Republicans, who presently person the bulk successful some chambers, are susceptible chiefly due to the fact that of the unpopular Iran warfare and continuing cost-of-living economical pressure.
Senate
Republicans person 53 seats, and Democrats person 47. Most of the 22 seats the GOP is defending are successful states Mr. Trump easy won successful 2024. Democrats indispensable adhd a nett full of 4 seats to instrumentality the bulk portion besides defending a fewer seats against GOP challenges.
Here are the 9 2026 Senate races to watch:
Alaska
GOP Sen. Dan Sullivan and erstwhile Democratic Rep. Mary Peltola are the front-runners successful Alaska's top-four primary, wherever different campaigner by the aforesaid sanction arsenic the incumbent is besides connected the ballot. Alaska hasn't elected a Democrat to the Senate since 2008, but the enactment is eyeing the contention arsenic a pickup opportunity.
Iowa
GOP Rep. Ashley Hinson and authorities Rep. Josh Turek are facing disconnected successful Iowa aft Sen. Joni Ernst decided not to question reelection. The contention has grown amazingly competitory successful a authorities that's shifted to the close successful caller years, arsenic affordability issues and the Trump tariff policies measurement connected Iowans.
Maine
GOP Sen. Susan Collins is defending her spot against Troy Jackson, who became the Democratic nominee aft Graham Platner bowed retired of the contention successful July pursuing a intersexual battle allegation. Collins has survived challenges successful erstwhile reelection fights, but Democrats are optimistic astir their chances successful a authorities that Kamala Harris won successful 2024 by astir 7 points.
Michigan
Former GOP Rep. Mike Rogers and Democrat Abdul El-Sayed are vying for an unfastened spot successful Michigan aft Sen. Gary Peters decided to discontinue from Congress. El-Sayed is simply a progressive erstwhile Michigan wellness authoritative who defeated a much mean hostile successful a divisive Democratic primary, portion Rogers is seeking the spot aft losing a bid to Sen. Elissa Slotkin past cycle.
Ohio
GOP Sen. Jon Husted is defending his spot against a comeback bid by erstwhile Sen. Sherrod Brown, who mislaid his reelection bid successful Ohio's different Senate spot past cycle. Democrats are hoping Brown's working-class marque volition propel him to triumph against Husted, the erstwhile lieutenant politician who was appointed to JD Vance's spot past twelvemonth aft Vance became vice president.
Texas
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton and authorities Rep. James Talarico are competing successful a intimately watched contention successful the Lone Star State. Democrats saw their chances of flipping the spot amended aft Paxton defeated incumbent GOP Sen. John Cornyn, fixed Paxton's past of idiosyncratic controversies and much blimpish positions. But Republicans stay assured successful their chances of holding onto the seat, though immoderate concede that the contention volition beryllium pugnacious — and expensive.
Georgia
GOP Rep. Mike Collins is taking connected Democratic Sen. Jon Ossoff successful Georgia successful a competitory contention that was erstwhile expected to beryllium the easiest pickup accidental for Republicans. But a messy Republican superior slowed the motorboat of Republicans' wide predetermination combat to unseat the first-term senator.
North Carolina
Former Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper and erstwhile Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Whatley are jockeying for a spot representing North Carolina successful the Senate aft GOP Sen. Thom Tillis announced helium wouldn't question reelection. Democrats spot the spot successful the Tar Heel State arsenic a cardinal prize, representing their champion accidental astatine flipping a spot this cycle.
New Hampshire
Democratic Rep. Chris Pappas and erstwhile GOP Sen. John Sununu are moving for an unfastened Senate spot successful New Hampshire to capable Sen. Jeanne Shaheen's spot upon her retirement. New Hampshire hasn't elected a Republican to the Senate since 2010, but Republicans are hopeful astir the prospects for Sununu, whose household has been ascendant successful Granite State politics.
House
All 435 House seats are up for election, with 218 arsenic the threshold for the majority. The House is presently precise narrowly divided, with 218 Republicans, positive an autarkic who caucuses with the GOP, and 214 Democrats. Two seats are vacant.
These are the 42 House races to watch:
Arizona's 1st Congressional District
Republican Jay Feely and Democrat Amish Shah are vying to regenerate eight-term GOP Rep. David Schweikert, who ran unsuccessfully for governor. Feely, an NFL seasoned and erstwhile expert for CBS Sports, initially ran successful different district, but helium switched astatine the urging of President Trump. Shah failed to unseat Schweikert successful 2024.
Arizona's 6th Congressional District
Republican Rep. Juan Ciscomani is up against Marine seasoned JoAnna Mendoza successful the territory that stretches from the Tucson-area suburbs down to the southeastern country of the authorities on the U.S.-Mexico border.
California's 13th Congressional District
The spot held by Democratic Rep. Adam Gray is 1 of the House Republicans' run arm's apical targets. Gray flipped the spot successful 2024, narrowly winning by less than 200 votes. In 2022, helium mislaid by less than 600 votes. In June's nonpartisan primary, helium had a important vantage implicit Republican Kevin Lincoln, a Marine veteran.
California's 22nd Congressional District
GOP Rep. David Valadao is 1 of 2 remaining House Republicans successful Congress who voted to impeach President Trump successful 2021 implicit the Capitol riot. He is the past 1 moving for reelection, since Washington Rep. Dan Newhouse is retiring. Valadao is moving against Democrat Randy Villegas successful the recently redrawn district.
California's 45th Congressional District
Democratic Rep. Derek Tran's territory was redrawn arsenic portion of Gov. Gavin Newsom's redistricting push, making his caller territory 1 that Vice President Kamala Harris won by lone 4 points. The House Republicans' run limb is backing erstwhile Cerritos Mayor Chuong Vo successful its effort to people the Orange County-area district.
California's 48th Congressional District
Republican Jim Desmond and Democrat Marni Von Wilpert are connected the ballot to regenerate outgoing GOP Rep. Darrell Issa successful a recently redrawn Southern California district.
Colorado's 8th Congressional District
GOP Rep. Gabe Evans, who flipped a spot held by a Democrat successful 2025, is moving for reelection against Democrat Manny Rutinel, a progressive authorities representative. The district, which is northbound of Denver, has a sizable Latino population.
Florida's 14th Congressional District
Democratic Rep. Kathy Castor's Tampa-area territory has been redrawn to beryllium much affable to Republican, but it is inactive rated arsenic Lean Democratic. Former authorities Rep. Mike Beltran won the crowded GOP superior to instrumentality connected Castor successful the fall.
Florida's 22nd Congressional District
After this territory was gerrymandered to beryllium much GOP-friendly, its congresswoman, Democrat Lois Frankel, opted alternatively to tally successful the 23rd District. Democrat Pia Dandiya won the August primary, and Republican Casey Askar prevailed successful the crowded GOP primary. Both parties' run arms are targeting the district, which includes Palm Beach County.
Florida's 25th Congressional District
Democratic Rep. Jared Moskowitz is moving for reelection here, though the Boca Raton-area district's boundaries were altered to beryllium much favorable to Republicans. Moskowitz faces erstwhile Boca Raton Mayor Scott Singer connected the ballot.
Iowa's 1st Congressional District
Democrat Christina Bohannan is trying for a 3rd clip to unseat Republican Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks. Miller-Meeks has won respective adjacent races since 2020.
Iowa's 2nd Congressional District
Republican Joe Mitchell and Democrat Lindsay James are connected the ballot to regenerate GOP Rep. Ashley Hinson, who is moving for Senate.
Iowa's 3rd Congressional District
GOP Rep. Zach Nunn is defending his spot against Democrat Sarah Trone Garriott. Nunn, who has represented the Des Moines-area territory since 2023, won reelection successful 2024 by little than 4 points.
Michigan's 4th Congressional District
Longtime GOP Rep. Bill Huizenga is trying to fend disconnected a situation from Democrat Sean McCann, a authorities senator.
Michigan's 7th Congressional District
GOP Rep. Tom Barrett, who was archetypal elected successful 2024, is 1 of a fistful of Republicans who person supported Democratic-led warfare powers resolutions to rein successful President Trump connected Iran. He's facing Democrat William Lawrence, who cofounded the Sunrise Movement and is simply a erstwhile subordinate of the Democratic Socialists of America.
Michigan's 8th Congressional District
After suspending his campaign, Thomas Smith defeated a Trump-backed campaigner to triumph the GOP superior and instrumentality connected Democratic Rep. Kristen McDonald Rivet. Though the territory elected McDonald Rivet successful 2024, it besides voted for President Trump.
Michigan's 10th Congressional District
Republican Michael Bouchard and Democrat Christina Hines are competing for the unfastened seat, which is presently held by GOP Rep. John James, who is moving for Michigan governor.
Nebraska's 2nd Congressional District
Republican Brinker Harding and Democrat Denise Powell are hoping to regenerate retiring GOP Rep. Don Bacon successful the Omaha-area district. Though the spot has been successful GOP hands for each but 2 years successful the past 3 decades, the territory has voted for a Democrat successful 3 of the past 5 statesmanlike elections.
Nevada's 3rd Congressional District
Video crippled euphony composer Marty O'Donnell is hoping to unseat Democratic Rep. Susie Lee successful the 3rd District, which touches parts of Las Vegas.
New Hampshire's 1st Congressional District
Democratic Rep. Chris Pappas opted to tally for Senate this year, leaving the swingy spot open. Pappas has held the spot since 2017, but earlier that, it flipped 5 times betwixt Republican and Democrats. Democrat Stefany Shaheen, the girl of retiring Sen. Jeanne Shaheen, volition look Republican Anthony DiLorenzo.
New Jersey's 7th Congressional District
GOP Rep. Tom Kean Jr. is defending his spot against Democrat Rebecca Bennett, aft his lengthy lack from Congress earlier this year. Upon his instrumentality to enactment successful June, helium disclosed helium had been diagnosed with slump and was hospitalized for treatment.
New Mexico's 2nd Congressional District
Marine seasoned Greg Cunningham is challenging Democratic Rep. Gabe Vasquez successful the district, which spans the confederate fractional of the authorities and includes portion of Albuquerque. Vasquez was elected to the House successful 2022, flipping the seat.
New York's 3rd Congressional District
Democratic Rep. Tom Suozzi is defending his spot against erstwhile New York authorities Rep. Mike LePetri successful the Long Island district. The longtime Democratic territory flipped Republican successful 2022, but aft erstwhile Rep. George Santos was expelled from Congress, Suozzi won the peculiar predetermination for the seat. He was reelected successful 2024, though Mr. Trump won the district.
New York's 4th Congressional District
In 2024, Democratic Rep. Laura Gillen defeated the Republican incumbent, Rep. Anthony D'Esposito, aft helium bushed her successful the contention for the unfastened Long Island spot successful 2022. She'll look section taxation receiver and GOP campaigner Jeanine Driscoll.
New York's 17th Congressional District
GOP Rep. Mike Lawler has held the little Hudson Valley spot since 2023, casting himself arsenic a mean who tin enactment crossed the aisle. Democrat Cait Conley, a nationalist information adept and Army combat veteran, moved to the territory soon earlier announcing her candidacy, though she grew up successful the region. Harris narrowly won the territory against Mr. Trump successful 2024.
New York's 19th Congressional District
Democratic Rep. Josh Riley is trying for a 2nd word successful a territory that has been competitive. GOP authorities Sen. Peter Oberacker is his opponent.
North Carolina's 1st Congressional District
The contention is simply a rematch betwixt Republican Laurie Buckhout and Democratic Rep. Don Davis. Davis is facing a pugnacious reelection bid successful a territory that has leaned further to the close aft respective rounds of gerrymandering by authorities Republicans.
North Carolina's 11th Congressional District
GOP Rep. Chuck Edwards dropped his reelection bid aft a House Ethics Committee probe concluded helium engaged successful "persistent unprofessional and inappropriate conduct" toward 2 young women who worked for him. Republican authorities Rep. Jennifer Balkom replaced Edwards connected the ballot and volition look Democrat Jamie Ager.
Ohio's 1st Congressional District
With Ohio's caller court-approved legislature map, Republicans are targeting the 1st District, represented by Democratic Rep. Greg Landsman since 2023. Air Force seasoned and erstwhile CIA lawsuit serviceman Eric Conroy won the crowded GOP superior with Mr. Trump's backing. Although Mr. Trump won the caller territory nether its caller boundaries, CBS News rates the territory arsenic Lean Democratic.
Ohio's 9th Congressional District
Voters person different accidental to prime betwixt longtime Democratic Rep. Marcy Kaptur and Republican Derek Merrin. Merrin tried to unseat Kaptur successful 2024, but mislaid by astir 2,400 votes — conscionable supra the threshold needed to trigger an automatic recount. The Northwest Ohio territory was redrawn successful October 2025, creating a much Republican-leaning seat.
Pennsylvania's 1st Congressional District
Democrat Bob Harvie is taking connected GOP Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick, who has been 1 of a fewer House Republicans to ballot to bounds President Trump's quality to further onslaught Iran. Fitzpatrick won reelection successful 2024 by astir 13 points.
Pennsylvania's 7th Congressional District
GOP Rep. Ryan Mackenzie flipped the territory successful 2024, beating the Democratic incumbent by 1 percent point. This year, helium faces retired firefighter Bob Brooks.
Pennsylvania's 8th Congressional District
Republican Rep. Rob Bresnahan is moving against Scranton Mayor Paige Cognetti. In 2024, Bresnahan defeated incumbent Democratic Rep. Matt Cartwright by little than 2 points.
Pennsylvania's 10th Congressional District
The contention is simply a rematch betwixt erstwhile TV quality anchor Janelle Stelson and Republican Rep. Scott Perry. Stelson narrowly mislaid to Perry successful 2024 by astir 5,000 votes successful the territory that covers Harrisburg, York and the surrounding areas.
Texas' 15th Congressional District
Tejano instrumentalist Bobby Pulido is trying to unseat GOP Rep. Monica De La Cruz successful the Hispanic-majority district. De La Cruz flipped the spot successful 2022 and President Trump won it by astir 20 points successful 2024, but Latino voters person shown a plaything to the near since then.
Texas' 28th Congressional District
After Texas redrew its legislature districts, 11-term incumbent Democrat Henry Cuellar's territory has go much affable to Republicans. The GOP has agelong targeted Cuellar and considers the territory a priority, but Cuellar has proven resilient. He besides faced national charges of bribery and wealth laundering, but Mr. Trump pardoned him past Decembercorruptionto person strength. Cuellar faces Republican Webb County Judge Tano Tijerina successful November.
Texas' 34th Congressional District
Mr. Trump made inroadsgains withamong Latinos successful Texas successful 2024, but though helium won contempt his winning the 34th District on the U.S.-Mexico border, incumbent Democratic Rep. Vicente Gonzalez prevailedsurvived successful his 2024 race. Redistricting has made the territory somewhat much GOP-friendly, making it a apical people for Republicansof House Republicans' run arm. Republican Mayra Flores is challenginggoing up against Gonzalez successful the wide predetermination for a 3rd time.
Texas' 35th Congressional District
After Texas' gerrymander, the caller 35th District is much Republican-friendly, encompassinges lone 10% of the existent district. Itand excludes solidly bluish Austin, wherever its existent Rep.representative, Greg Casar, lives, and to go much affable to Republicans. Casar opted to tally successful the caller 37th District, leaving the 35th District open. Democrat Johnny Garcia and Republican Carlos De La Cruz, the member of Rep. Monica De La Cruz, won their crowded primaries and are competing for the seatnow volition look disconnected connected the ballot.
Virginia's 1st Congressional District
GOP Rep. Rob Wittman is hoping to widen Republicans' power of the spot for different 2 years. Republicans person held the spot since 1977. Wittman's Democratic rival is Henrico County's apical prosecutor, Shannon Taylor.
Virginia's 2nd Congressional District
GOP Rep. Jen Kiggans is defending her spot against erstwhile Democratic Rep. Elaine Luria, who represented the territory for 2 presumption earlier losing to Kiggans successful 2022 aft redistricting made the country much favorable to Republicans.
Washington's 3rd Congressional District
Democratic Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez doubly defeated far-right blimpish Joe Kent, who went connected to go Trump's counterterrorism main earlier helium resigned successful protestation implicit the Iran war. This twelvemonth she's defending her spot against John Braun, who has served successful assorted enactment roles since his predetermination to the authorities Senate successful 2012. Mr. Trump won the territory successful 2024.
Wisconsin's 3rd Congressional District
The contention is simply a rematch betwixt Democrat Rebecca Cooke and the Republican incumbent, Rep. Derrick Van Orden, who is moving for his 3rd term. Cooke, who owned a store that closed aft the pandemic, mislaid to Van Orden successful 2024 by little than 3 points. She has been balancing campaigning with waitressing, her website says.
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