By Karim Hammam
Control of the Senate hinges on Tuesday's midterm elections, with Republicans holding a 53-47 majority and Democrats needing a net gain of four seats to reclaim the chamber. More than $3.4 billion has been spent on television and digital advertising across Senate races nationwide, according to tracking firm AdImpact.
Key battlegrounds include traditional swing states and Republican strongholds
Close races are expected in traditional battlegrounds such as Georgia, Michigan and North Carolina, but also in states that have become more reliably Republican since Donald Trump's rise, including Ohio and Iowa. Unexpectedly tight contests are also brewing in deeply red states like Alaska, Kansas and Texas.
Alaska race draws scrutiny over ballot confusion
Democrat Mary Peltola faces Republican Sen. Dan Sullivan in a race that has attracted national attention. A New York Times report alleged that Peltola's campaign and other Democrats recruited a candidate named Dan J. Sullivan — sharing the senator's name — to sow voter confusion in Alaska's ranked-choice voting system with four candidates on the ballot. Peltola and her campaign have repeatedly denied the allegations. Polls close in Alaska at 1 a.m. ET.
Ohio contest tests Trump's influence
Republican Sen. Jon Husted, appointed last year after JD Vance became vice president, faces a tough challenge from former Democratic Sen. Sherrod Brown for the remaining two years of Vance's term. Trump held three rallies in Ohio in recent weeks, repeatedly praising Husted's physique. A senior Republican official told NBC News that if Husted wins, "it's because Trump literally dragged his ass over the finish line." Polls close in Ohio at 7:30 p.m. ET.
Michigan race ends with surprise endorsement
Republican former Rep. Mike Rogers faces Democrat Abdul El-Sayed in a race that took an explosive turn Sunday when Rep. Haley Stevens, who lost the Democratic primary to El-Sayed, endorsed Rogers. Stevens cited El-Sayed's criticism of Israel as the reason for her defection, sparking outrage and accusations of betrayal from House Democratic colleagues. Polls close in Michigan at 9 p.m. ET.
Maine and Texas also in focus
In Maine, Republican Sen. Susan Collins faces former state Senate President Troy Jackson, with polls closing at 8 p.m. ET. In Texas, which has not elected a Democratic senator in 33 years, Republican Ken Paxton — who defeated incumbent John Cornyn in a primary runoff after heavy Trump backing — faces state Rep. James Talarico. Democrats are optimistic about Talarico, though polls show a tight race within the margin of error. Tech billionaire Elon Musk has spent at least $150 million supporting Paxton. Polls close in Texas at 9 p.m. ET.
