In the wake of their strong 2025 off-year election results and President Trump’s declining popularity, Democrats see new openings on a 2026 Senate map that still fundamentally favors Republicans. With four key states—Maine, Michigan, North Carolina, and Georgia—emerging as pivotal battlegrounds, both parties face contentious primaries and high-stakes general election fights that could determine control of the chamber. Even modest Democratic gains could significantly shape congressional oversight and the administration’s final two years.
Read MoreAs election results poured in on November 4, 2025, two things quickly became clear. First, despite being a series of scattered, typically uneventful races for state and local positions in an off-cycle year, these elections drew attention unlike any others in recent memory. Second, Democrats won, big. Whether moderate or progressive, the central promises of affordability combined with easily accessible and authentic candidates delivered Democrats their latest victories.
Read MoreNext year, 35 Senate seats, including 13 held by Democrats and 22 held by Republicans, will be up for reelection. Republicans, with their current 53-47 Senate majority, are primed to maintain control of the chamber, but Democrats are starting to see glimmers of hope that they could flip seats in some key states.
Read MoreAll 435 House of Representatives seats are up in 2026. There are many issues that will impact these races. Some voters will go to the ballot box to make known their approval or dissatisfaction with the current administration. The tax cuts and Medicaid reforms included in Republicans’ reconciliation bill make for likely Democratic campaign fodder. Whether Republicans can spin the One Big Beautiful Bill to their advantage, or if Democrats can make gains on unpopular aspects of the bill, remains to be seen.
Read MoreSince Inauguration Day, the Trump Administration has moved with lightning speed to reshape America’s workforce, economy, and foreign policy. With the GOP controlling the House, Senate, and White House, partisan fervor firmly grips Washington. However, the weeks ahead present opportunities for lawmakers to advance bipartisan legislation.
Read MoreAs part of Plurus Strategies’ ongoing series on the outlook for the 2025 and 2026 elections, this piece dives into the first referendum on the second Trump Administration: the fall 2025 special and off-year elections.
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