Can Democrats win the US Senate? 10 key midterm races to watch

Key Points:

• Democrats need a net gain of at least four Senate seats in the November midterms to take control from the current 53-47 Republican majority, with races intensifying due to voter dissatisfaction with Trump, the Iran war, and rising prices.
• Key battleground states include Alaska, Iowa, Kansas, Maine, North Carolina, Ohio, Texas, Georgia, Michigan, and New Hampshire, where competitive races feature strong fundraising efforts and close polling margins.
• In Alaska, Democratic candidate Mary Peltola is narrowly leading Republican Dan Sullivan in a ranked-choice voting system amid accusations of election fraud by Trump, while in Iowa and Kansas, rising costs and the Iran war have made traditionally Republican states competitive.
• Maine, North Carolina, and Ohio present critical opportunities for Democrats, with incumbents or open seats contested by well-funded candidates; North Carolina’s race is leaning Democratic, with significant fundraising disparities favoring Democrats in Ohio and Maine.
• Texas and Georgia remain challenging for Democrats despite strong fundraising, while Michigan and New Hampshire feature tight contests with substantial outside spending from both parties, reflecting the high stakes in these pivotal Senate races.