(The Center Square) – Several key U.S. Senate races are set to determine the balance of congressional power after the 2026 midterm elections.
The Senate is currently split 53-45 in favor of Republicans. Sens. Bernie Sanders and Angus King are independents but caucus with the 45 Democrats in the legislative body, making the split essentially 53-47.
In order to pass legislation that can withstand a filibuster, 60 senators must agree with it. Given the current partisan makeup, it has been difficult to pass meaningful legislation through the U.S. Senate.
However, several key races across the country this year could shift the Senate’s partisan balance. Here are some of those races.
Minnesota
U.S. Sen. Tina Smith, D-Minn., decided not to run for reelection. In her place, a crowded field of contestants on both sides of the aisle has emerged.
Democrats vying to replace Smith include U.S. Rep. Angie Craig, D-Minn., and Minnesota Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan.
Craig has served as a U.S. representative from Minnesota since 2019. Before serving in the U.S. House, she worked as a journalist and a health care executive. She has focused her campaign on fighting against immigration and customs enforcement measures in the state and across the country.
Flanagan has served as lieutenant governor of Minnesota since 2019. She has focused her campaign’s attention on issues related to ICE throughout the state. Flanagan’s campaign has also focused on affordability issues and the adoption of Medicare for All.
Flanagan has received more endorsements from prominent Democrats than Craig, including that of Smith. Sens. Bernie Sanders, D-Vt., Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., and Ed Markey, D-Mass., have all endorsed Flanagan’s candidacy.
“She is a ferocious fighter on behalf of working families,” Warren said in reference to Flanagan’s push to raise Minnesota’s minimum wage and achieve paid family leave.
“She takes no corporate PAC money,” Warren added. “To me, that gives me a lot of confidence that when Peggy Flanagan says she’s working for your family, it’s not just words.”
On the other side of the aisle, a hotly contested primary has also emerged for Republicans who aim to flip Minnesota’s senate seat.
Former NBA player Royce White and former reporter Michele Tafoya are among the crowd of Republican candidates who have declared for the state’s primary election.
Tafoya has focused her campaign on fraud scandals in the state and committed to providing more transparency in federal assistance programs.
“After years of asking tough questions on the sidelines, Michele Tafoya is stepping up to lead — determined to help restore integrity, reclaim Minnesota’s reputation, and show the nation what resilient, principled leadership looks like,” Tafoya’s website reads.
White previously ran for Minnesota’s open senate seat in 2024. He has focused his campaign on border security and tackling America’s $38 trillion debt.
Tafoya has received an endorsement from the National Republican Senatorial Committee.
The senate seat held by Amy Klobuchar will also be an important race to watch in Minnesota. While her term is not up, Klobuchar is running for governor in the state and a special election would need to be called for her senate seat if she were to win the governor’s race.
Minnesota’s primary election is Aug. 11.
Ohio
U.S. Sen. Jon Husted, R-Ohio, is looking to win his first election in the Senate and retain his seat. Husted was appointed to fill the senate vacancy left by Vice President JD Vance after he was elected alongside President Donald Trump in 2024.
Ohio’s race will count as a special election as it will serve to determine who fills out the remainder of Vance’s term, ending in 2028. A slew of Democrats have thrown their names into the ring attempting to challenge Husted.
Among the Democrats challenging Husted, former U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown appears to be the frontrunner. U.S. Bernie Moreno, R-Ohio, defeated Brown in 2024, ending a tenure that began in 2007.
Brown has focused his campaign on attacking Husted’s voting record and calling for bans of stock trading in Congress. He has also called for lower health care costs and criticized Husted’s vote on the Big Beautiful Bill.
“Health insurance has become a luxury too many Ohioans can no longer afford,” Husted wrote in reference to an estimate that 120,000 state residents dropped Affordable Care Act coverage in 2025.
Last year, Trump offered Husted his “complete and total” endorsement for a senate bid in 2025.
“He is working hard to Create Jobs, Lower Costs, Promote Products and Services MADE IN AMERICA by our incredible Ohio Workers, Support our Great Farmers, Champion Innovation, Secure our Border, Stop Criminals, Strengthen our Military/Veterans, and Strongly Protect our always under siege Second Amendment,” Trump wrote on social media.
Ohio’s primary election is May 5.
New Hampshire
In New Hampshire, a fierce battle for the Senate is expected to take place. With Sen. Jeanne Shaheen, D-N.H., retiring, former Republican rival John Sununu has thrown his hat into the ring, along with former Massachusetts state Sen. Scott Brown.
Sununu defeated Shaheen in 2002 for a seat to the U.S. Senate. In 2008, Shaheen defeated Sununu. She has held the seat ever since. Shortly after announcing her retirement, Sununu joined the race to replace Shaheen.
Sununu, who also served as New Hampshire’s governor from 1983-1989, has focused his campaign on lowering taxes for Americans. He promised to oppose any middle-class tax hikes if elected. He has also campaigned on fighting against big technology companies’ surveillance.
“Today, as privacy is again under threat from government overreach and Big Tech, John will hold them accountable and defend every American’s right to be free from surveillance,” Sununu’s website reads.
Trump endorsed Sununu earlier this month. He said Sununu would help grow the economy, cut taxes and regulations and advance American energy dominance.
Democrats looking to replace Shaheen include U.S. Rep. Chris Pappas, D-N.H., and medical scientist Karishma Manzur. Pappas has represented New Hampshire’s first congressional district since 2019.
Pappas slammed Sununu’s endorsement from Trump. He said Sununu had a lackluster start to his campaign and poor fundraising quarter.
“Whether that’s toeing the line for an unpopular president or doing the bidding of corporate special interests, John Sununu is the same out of touch political figure New Hampshire voters rejected 18 years ago,” Pappas said.
New Hampshire’s primary election will be on Sept. 8.
