Politics · United States · 3 hrs ago
Close U.S. midterm races could decide control of Congress
Next Tuesday's U.S. midterm elections could decide who controls Congress for the rest of President Donald Trump's term.
Democrats need a net gain of three seats to take the House, which has 435 members.
Taking the Senate would require Democrats to gain four seats for a 51-49 majority, a tougher challenge that means winning in at least two states Trump carried by double digits in 2024.
In Maine, Republican Susan Collins, who has held her seat for 30 years, faces Democrat Troy Jackson, with voters weighing her record and the effects of Trump's policies.
Michigan's open Senate seat is a key contest because a Democratic loss would make the party's path to a Senate majority harder; Democrat Abdul El-Sayed is running against Republican Mike Rogers.
Control of the two chambers will shape Trump's ability to govern and how much influence Democrats have over legislation and the federal budget.
Close races in a handful of U.S. states and districts could determine which party controls Congress after the midterm elections.
Democrats need a net gain of three seats to take the 435-member House, while they need four net gains for a 51-49 Senate majority.
The Senate path is harder, requiring Democrats to flip at least two states that Donald Trump won by double digits in 2024.
Contests highlighted include Senate races in Maine and Michigan, where tariffs and other issues are prominent.
A Democratic win in the House could produce divided control of Congress and give Democrats more power to scrutinize the Trump administration.
- Who
- Republican and Democratic candidates are competing in close races for Congress.
- What
- The midterm results could determine which party controls the House and Senate.
- When
- The elections are scheduled for next Tuesday, according to the CBC article published October 27.
- Where
- Close races are in a handful of states and districts, including Maine and Michigan.
- Why
- Control of Congress will shape the remainder of Donald Trump's presidency and the parties' ability to advance their agendas.
Democrats
Republicans
House control
Democrats
Democrats need a net gain of three seats to take the House.
Republicans
Republicans are seeking to retain their majority.
Senate control
Democrats
Democrats need a net gain of four seats to reach a 51-49 majority.
Republicans
Republicans are seeking to retain their majority.
Maine Democratic Senate candidate Troy Jackson entered the race after original nominee Graham Platner stepped down.
Republican Senator Susan Collins made a campaign stop in Lewiston, Maine.
Donald Trump attacked Michigan Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed at a rally in Port Huron.
U.S. midterm elections are scheduled, with close races expected to shape control of Congress.
- House
- Democrats need a net gain of 3 seats to control the 435-member chamber.
- Senate
- Democrats need a net gain of 4 seats for a 51-49 majority.
- Maine Senate race
- Susan Collins (Republican) is running against Troy Jackson (Democrat).
- Michigan Senate race
- Abdul El-Sayed (Democrat) is running against Mike Rogers (Republican).
- Maine seat
- Susan Collins has held it for 30 years.
3 sources
What people are saying
Democrats have no agenda to improve the lives of the American people, just plans to obstruct and baselessly target President Trump's commonsense agenda
We need to end this tariff war now