The November 3, 2026 midterms will decide control of both chambers of Congress, with all 435 House seats contested and 35 Senate seats up for grabs, including a special election in Florida and one in Ohio.
The House currently sits at 218 Republicans, 214 Democrats, one independent and two vacancies, so Republicans can afford a net loss of only two seats before losing the majority.
In the Senate, Republicans hold a 53‑47 edge, but two independents caucus with Democrats, meaning Democrats must net four seats to reach the 51 needed for control, while a 50‑50 split would fall to Vice‑President J.D. Vance.
State politics will also be in the spotlight, as 36 governors are elected and 6,139 state‑legislative seats across 88 chambers are contested.
Polls show Democrats enjoy a 53‑41% lead among registered voters and a 57‑32% advantage among independents, yet Trump’s approval hovers between 32% and 41%, with 55% of respondents saying his policies hurt the economy.
Campaign finance records indicate a projected $12 billion spend on ads, with AdImpact estimating $11.6 billion and Kinetiq projecting $11.96 billion; the California governor primary alone is slated to cost $330 million, the most expensive gubernatorial race on record.
The 2026 cycle will feature 2,497 primary candidates, 2,232 vying for House seats, and 44 House rematches, while 474 statewide and local rematches underscore the competitive nature of these elections.
Results will be announced on Election Day, and the new Congress will convene to shape policy for the remainder of Trump’s term.