2 Quietly Run Democratic Senate Races Should Be On Your Midterm Radar

Republicans hold a slim majority in both chambers of Congress. Democrats need a net gain of just four seats to secure a majority in the U.S. Senate.

The 2026 map presents structural challenges for Democrats overall. Republicans defend 22 seats compared with Democrats’ 13. Most Republican-held seats are in states that lean heavily toward the party. Yet early polling and Republican spending patterns indicate that Democrats have two dark horse races that stand apart from the rest.