Archive · 5 Oct 2026
Democrats Inch Into Red Territory, Face Home-Turf Challenges
Democrats were trying to win some Senate races in places where Republicans often do well.
They also had to protect seats in Georgia, New Hampshire, Michigan and Minnesota.
Some of those seats were open because there was no incumbent running.
Democrats thought an open seat in North Carolina could be a good opportunity.
They also hoped to defeat Republican Sen.
Susan Collins in Maine.
But Collins had easily beaten her Democratic opponent the last time.
Democratic leaders and grassroots supporters disagreed about who should run against her.
Democrats faced a defense of Sen. Jon Ossoff’s seat in battleground Georgia.
They also had to hold open Senate seats in New Hampshire, Michigan and Minnesota.
The open North Carolina seat was seen as a good Democratic target.
Sen. Susan Collins of Maine was considered the party’s best chance to defeat a Republican, but a difficult one.
Democratic leadership and grassroots supporters were divided over which candidate should challenge Collins.
- Who
- Democrats, including Sen. Jon Ossoff and prospective challengers to Sen. Susan Collins.
- What
- Democrats were defending Senate seats and assessing opportunities to win seats held by Republicans.
- Where
- Georgia, New Hampshire, Michigan, Minnesota, North Carolina and Maine.
- Why
- Democrats sought to hold their seats and target Republican-held seats, while choosing a candidate to challenge Collins.
- Georgia
- Democrats had to defend Sen. Jon Ossoff’s seat.
- Open seats to defend
- New Hampshire, Michigan and Minnesota.
- Potential Democratic target
- An open seat in North Carolina.
- Maine target
- Sen. Susan Collins was described as the Democrats’ best chance to defeat a Republican.
- Challenge in Maine
- Collins easily dispatched her Democratic opponent last time.
- Candidate selection
- Democratic leadership and grassroots supporters were divided over the best candidate to challenge Collins.