Senate races tighten in Kansas, Iowa, Alaska as spending hits $11.6 billion

September 28, 2026 at 03:00 PM2 min

This digest was compiled by AI from multiple sources — links to the originals are below.

Democrats are making gains in Senate races previously seen as long shots, including Kansas, Iowa, Alaska, Ohio and Texas, 36 days before the midterm elections. An estimated $11.6 billion has been spent so far, surpassing the entire 2024 presidential race total. Republicans are responding with increased spending and campaign rallies as the Cook Political Report rates seven Senate races as toss-ups.

Key Facts

An estimated $11.6 billion has been spent on the 2026 midterms so far, exceeding the entire 2024 presidential race total.
Democrats need to flip four Senate seats to take a majority.
The Cook Political Report rates seven Senate races as toss-ups.
Kansas, which last elected a Democratic senator during Franklin D. Roosevelt's administration, is now rated 'lean Republican' by the Cook Political Report.
President Trump's next campaign rallies are scheduled for Oklahoma and Alabama, both deep red states.

Democratic Gains

Democrats are leading or making gains in Senate races in Iowa, Kansas, Alaska, Ohio and Texas, states previously viewed as long shots. The shift comes as voter frustration with the cost of living grows, with mortgage rates spiking above 7%. Kansas, which Trump won by 16 percentage points in 2024, is now rated 'lean Republican' by the Cook Political Report. GOP strategist Kevin Madden said the trend lines have everyone thinking this is genuinely a toss-up with many close races.

Republican Response

Republican lawmakers have begun pushing back on the administration's handling of the war in Iran, deportation policies and the cost of living. The White House says Trump will begin an intense series of campaign-style rallies for Republicans in the final weeks before the midterms. Trump's next two trips are to Oklahoma and Alabama, states overwhelmingly dominated by the GOP. The White House recently tried to ban several media outlets and hosted Chinese President Xi Jinping for meetings that were heavy on pomp and light on substance.