US Senate races to decide 2026 Congress balance

(The Center Square) - The U.S. Senate could see a major shakeup in 2026 as Democrats and Republicans battle for control of Congress. In 2024, Republicans flipped the U.S. Senate from blue to red and hold a 53-47 majority. Two senators are independents who caucus with Democrats. In the 2026 midterm elections, 35 Senate seats are up for grabs; several key races could determine whether Republicans hold onto their Senate majority or if Democrats will regain the ground lost in 2024. The Cook Political Report ranks nine Senate races with at least a potential to become competitive. Out of the nine possibly competitive races, four are considered true toss ups. The general Midterm Election is Nov. 3, 2026. Here are some of those close races. Georgia U.S. Sen. Jon Ossoff, D-Ga., looks to defend his seat in the 2026 midterm elections. U.S. Reps. Buddy Carter, R-Ga., and Mike Collins, R-Ga., willl compete in the Republican Party’s primary. Derek Dooley, a former University of Tennessee football co