Midterm elections typically favor the party that doesn’t hold the White House. Nevertheless, if 2026 is to be a strong year for Senate Democrats, their path to retaking the majority requires them to make gains in states that have swung decidedly Republican in recent years.
Democrats would need a net pickup of four seats to win control of the chamber next year, but only a handful of the anticipated 22 Republican seats on the 2026 map are in competitive states.
New York Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, who was named chair of the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee on Monday, talked up her party’s chances.
