{"id":2523466,"date":"2025-12-20T05:27:02","date_gmt":"2025-12-20T10:27:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/2026-elections-to-keep-an-eye-on\/"},"modified":"2025-12-20T05:27:38","modified_gmt":"2025-12-20T10:27:38","slug":"2026-elections-to-keep-an-eye-on","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/2026-elections-to-keep-an-eye-on\/","title":{"rendered":"2026 elections to keep an eye on"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"&quot;\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">14<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2F2026-elections-to-keep-an-eye-on%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2523466&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>The <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3YuVZYV\" >article outlines key elections<\/a> to watch in the United States in 2026, highlighting several competitive races before the November midterm elections. Democrats aim to regain control of the House of Representatives and maintain their slim Senate majority.<\/p>\n<p>Notable races include:<\/p>\n<p>&#8211; **Texas Senate Republican primary**: Incumbent Sen. John Cornyn seeks a fifth term, challenged by Attorney General Ken Paxton and Rep. Wesley Hunt.Cornyn and Hunt worry Paxton&#8217;s controversies could benefit Democrats, though Paxton&#8217;s campaign is unconcerned.<\/p>\n<p>&#8211; **Maine Senate race**: Sen. Susan Collins (R) plans to run for a sixth term. Democratic Gov. Janet Mills contests the primary against Graham Platner, who has progressive backing despite past controversies.<\/p>\n<p>&#8211; **California gubernatorial election**: With Gov. Gavin Newsom term-limited, candidates include Democrats Reps. Katie Porter and Eric Swalwell,and Republicans Chad Bianco and Steve Hilton. An open primary will determine the top two for the general election.<\/p>\n<p>&#8211; **North Carolina Senate race**: Sen. Thom Tillis (R) is retiring. Former Gov. Roy Cooper (D) and former RNC chair Michael Whatley are among the candidates running for the open seat.<\/p>\n<p>&#8211; **Kentucky&#8217;s 4th Congressional District primary**: Trump supports a primary challenger, Ed Gallrein, against incumbent Rep. Thomas Massie,who has opposed Trump on several issues.<\/p>\n<p>&#8211; **Georgia elections**: A special election will fill the seat vacated by Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R). Sen. Jon Ossoff (D) seeks reelection against several Republicans, including Reps. Buddy Carter and Mike Collins.<\/p>\n<p>&#8211; **Ohio Senate and gubernatorial races**: Sen. Jon Husted (R), recently appointed, runs to retain his Senate seat, facing former Sen. Sherrod Brown (D). Former presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy is running for governor, likely against Democrat Dr. Amy Acton.<\/p>\n<p>These elections are expected to shape the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/budget-and-international-headaches-already-compounding-for-eventual-house-speaker\/\" title=\"Budget and international issues already piling up for future ... speaker.\">political landscape ahead<\/a> of the 2026 midterms, with several high-profile candidates and competitive contests across the country.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<p><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><\/p>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-header-search-button-mob dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search\" aria-labelledby=\"td-header-search-button\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search-inner\">\n<form method=\"get\" class=\"tdb-search-form\" action=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/\"><\/form>\n<div class=\"tdb-aj-search\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/#\" role=\"button\" aria-label=\"Search\" class=\"tdb-head-search-btn dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<h1 class=\"tdb-title-text\">2026 elections to keep an eye on<\/h1>\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-title-line\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div id=\"Brid_2445866\" class=\"tpd-featured-video bridtv\"><\/div>\n<p>Next year will see multiple heated elections across the nation, several of which will be held before the November <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/2026-elections\/\">midterm elections<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>Democrats are vying to retake control of the <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/section\/news\/house\/\">House of Representatives<\/a>, where Republicans only have a small majority, and are aiming to keep the lower chamber under their control while maintaining their three-seat majority in the Senate.<\/p>\n<div class=\"recommended-stories\">\n<h2>Recommended Stories<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/congressional\/4074633\/cynthia-lummis-senator-retire-2026\/\">Cynthia Lummis becomes 11th senator to walk away from upper chamber in 2026<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/congressional\/3927050\/thune-trump-endorsement-power-protect-senate-majority\/\">Thune banks on Trump endorsement power to protect Senate majority&nbsp;<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/premium\/3447813\/members-congress-leave-jobs-mostly-voluntarily\/\">These members of Congress will leave their jobs (mostly) voluntarily<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"article-paywall\">\n<p>These are the elections to watch:<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-texas-senate-republican-primary\">Texas Senate Republican primary<\/h2>\n<p>Sen. <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/john-cornyn\/\">John Cornyn <\/a>(R-TX) is running for a fifth six-year term in the Senate, 24 years after <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.cornyn.senate.gov\/about\/about-john-cornyn\/\">he was first elected to the seat in 2002<\/a>. The incumbent senator is facing serious competition from Texas Attorney General <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/ken-paxton\/\">Ken Paxton<\/a> and Rep. Wesley Hunt (R-TX).&nbsp;<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Rep. Wesley Hunt (R-TX), left, Sen. John Cornyn (R-TX), center, and Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, right. (AP Photo\/J. Scott Applewhite, AP Photo\/Mark Schiefelbein, File, and AP Photo\/Jose Luis Magana, File)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Cornyn and Hunt believe Democrats will benefit the most in the general election if Paxton is the nominee, as the attorney general is a staunch conservative with some previous scandals. However, <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/senate\/3903323\/texas-make-or-break-senate-map-2026-midterms\/\">others have downplayed this possibility<\/a>, with someone close to the Paxton campaign telling the <em>Washington Examiner<\/em> there&rsquo;s &ldquo;no concern&rdquo; about the general election.<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-maine-s-primary-and-general-race-for-senate\">Maine&rsquo;s primary and general race for Senate<\/h2>\n<p>One Senate seat potentially winnable for the <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/democratic-party\/\">Democratic Party<\/a> is Sen. <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/susan-collins\/\">Susan Collins&rsquo;s<\/a> (R-ME) seat. Gov. <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/janet-mills\/\">Janet Mills<\/a> (D-ME) is <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/congressional\/3916552\/graham-platner-senate-race-tightens-janet-mills-susan-collins\/\">running in the party&rsquo;s primary<\/a> and has the backing of various Democratic household names, such as Senate Minority Leader <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/chuck-schumer\/\">Chuck Schumer<\/a> (D-NY) and Govs. <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/gretchen-whitmer\/\">Gretchen Whitmer<\/a> (D-MI) and <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/andy-beshear\/\">Andy Beshear<\/a> (D-KY).<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Gov. Janet Mills (D-ME), left, and Maine Senate candidate Graham Platner, right. (AP Photo\/Robert F. Bukaty, File, and AP Photo\/Caleb Jones)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Mills&rsquo;s biggest opponent in the primary is Graham Platner, a former oyster farmer and Marine veteran, who has the <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/BernieSanders\/status\/1976330409769304195?s=20\">endorsements<\/a> of Sen. <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/bernie-sanders\/\">Bernie Sanders<\/a> (I-VT) and Rep. <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/ro-khanna\/\">Ro Khanna<\/a> (D-CA). Platner&rsquo;s campaign was plagued by controversy in October, though he issued an apology for his past statements, with <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/democratic-national-committee\/\">Democratic National Committee<\/a> Chairman Ken Martin standing by the candidate.<\/p>\n<p>Collins said in December <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=ip8oU4QEPHU\">she plans to seek reelection<\/a>, giving her a sixth term, should she win.<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-california-gubernatorial-election\">California gubernatorial election<\/h2>\n<p>California will elect a new governor as Gov. <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/gavin-newsom\/\">Gavin Newsom<\/a> (D-CA) is term-limited. The state&rsquo;s <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.sos.ca.gov\/elections\/primary-elections-california\">Top Two Candidates Open Primary Act<\/a> dictates that the two candidates who receive the most votes on Primary Election Day, <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.sos.ca.gov\/elections\/upcoming-elections\/primary-election-june-2-2026\">set for June 2, 2026<\/a>, will move on to the general election, regardless of party affiliation.<\/p>\n<p>The top contestants in this election include Reps. <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/katie-porter\/\">Katie Porter<\/a> (D-CA) and <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/eric-swalwell\/\">Eric Swalwell<\/a> (D-CA), Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco, and Steve Hilton, the latter two running as Republicans. <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/state\/3907545\/swalwell-leads-porter-california-governor-race-poll\/\">Bianco has a narrow lead of 1%<\/a> over Hilton and Swalwell, who are both tied at 12%. Porter is trailing the other three candidates after <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/state\/3843630\/katie-porter-california-governor-race-cbs-interview\/\">she faced negative press in October<\/a> for her conduct with her staff and during an interview.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">California gubernatorial candidate Steve Hilton, left, Reps. Eric Swalwell (D-CA), center, and Katie Porter, right. (AP Photo\/Damian Dovarganes, File, AP Photo\/Jeff Chiu, and AP Photo\/Damian Dovarganes)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-north-carolina-senate-race\">North Carolina Senate race<\/h2>\n<p>North Carolina will see two recognizable faces run for Sen. <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/thom-tillis\/\">Thom Tillis&rsquo;s<\/a> (R-NC) seat, as the sitting senator is <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/senate\/3457548\/thom-tillis-announces-retirement-opposing-trump-tax-agenda\/\">not seeking reelection<\/a>. Former Democratic Gov. <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/roy-cooper\/\">Roy Cooper<\/a> is vying for his party&rsquo;s nomination against pastor <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/orrickquick.com\/\">Orrick Quick<\/a>, as is former Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Whatley against author and former Special Assistant U.S. Attorney <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.donbrownfornc.com\/about\">Don Brown<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>Whatley, who chaired the RNC during President <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/donald-trump\/\">Donald Trump&rsquo;s<\/a> 2024 victory, has <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/WhatleyNC\/status\/1964470956929196226?s=20\">connected Cooper<\/a> to the viral stabbing of <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/congressional\/3859266\/gop-super-pac-roy-cooper-crime-charlotte-train-stabbing-two-month-anniversary\/\">Iryna Zarutska<\/a> in Charlotte, North Carolina, and also criticized the former governor&rsquo;s <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/congressional\/3892781\/north-carolina-whatley-cooper-charlotte-ice-operations\/\">handling of law enforcement<\/a> cooperating with deportation efforts. Cooper, meanwhile, <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/3838293\/roy-cooper-record-14-million-fundraising-double-whatley\/\">is financially well-backed<\/a>, raising $14.5 million in his campaign&rsquo;s first 65 days, almost triple Whatley&rsquo;s fundraising.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper, in Raleigh, North Carolina, Oct. 23, 2024, left, and Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Whatley, in Gastonia, North Carolina, July 31, 2025, right. (AP Photo\/Gary D. Robertson, Erik Verduzco, file)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-kentucky-house-4th-district-primary-race\">Kentucky House 4th district primary race<\/h2>\n<p>One seat Trump is targeting in 2026 is <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/congressional\/3500829\/thomas-massie-polling-primary-big-beautiful-bill-israel\/\">Kentucky&rsquo;s 4th Congressional District<\/a>, currently held by Rep. <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/thomas-massie\/\">Thomas Massie<\/a> (R-KY). The fiscal hawk lawmaker has given Trump trouble in enacting his vision for the nation, as Massie has criticized the president on various issues, <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/3451167\/thomas-massie-trump-social-media\/\">including the One Big Beautiful Bill Act<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>Former Navy SEAL <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/congressional\/3858139\/ed-gallrein-campaign-challenging-thomas-massie\/\">Ed Gallrein is answering Trump&rsquo;s call<\/a> for a primary challenger against Massie, joining the race in October. The primary election will be held <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/elect.ky.gov\/Resources\/Documents\/2026%20Election%20Calendar.pdf\">on May 19<\/a>.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Rep. Thomas Massie, R-Ky., speaks outside the House chamber before the final votes of the week, at the Capitol in Washington, Friday, Dec. 12, 2025. (AP Photo\/J. Scott Applewhite)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-georgia-house-14th-district-special-election-and-senate-election\">Georgia House 14th district special election and Senate election<\/h2>\n<p>Georgia will conduct a special election for Rep. <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/marjorie-taylor-greene\/\">Marjorie Taylor Greene&rsquo;s<\/a> (R-GA) seat, as the sitting lawmaker is <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/3895734\/marjorie-taylor-greene-resigns-congress\/\">resigning on Jan. 5<\/a>. Multiple candidates are running for her soon-to-be vacant seat, including former Federal Emergency Management Agency worker Star Black, teacher Jeff Criswell, and state Sen. Colton Moore.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Moore told the <em>Washington Examiner<\/em> he is &ldquo;<a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/congressional\/3910660\/colton-moore-trump-ally-bid-marjorie-taylor-greene-seat\/\">100% pro-Trump<\/a>,&rdquo; but downplayed the need for either the president or Greene&rsquo;s endorsement to win this race. He also said the breakup between Trump and Greene, once a vocal supporter of the president, is &ldquo;extremely sad.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA) speaks during a hearing of the House Committee on Homeland Security on Capitol Hill in Washington, Thursday, Dec. 11, 2025. (AP Photo\/Mark Schiefelbein)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Sen. Jon Ossoff (D-GA) poses for a portrait during an event at Dobbins Air Reserve Base, April 26, 2025, in Marietta, Georgia. (AP Photo\/Brynn Anderson, File)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p>Sen. <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/jon-ossoff\/\">Jon Ossoff<\/a> (D-GA) is seeking a second term in what could be one of the most closely watched Senate races in 2026. Ossoff won his first term in 2021, after <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.npr.org\/2021\/01\/06\/952417689\/democrat-jon-ossoff-claims-victory-over-david-perdue-in-georgia-runoff\">winning a runoff election<\/a> against then-Sen. David Purdue (R-GA) by slightly over 1%.<\/p>\n<p>Republican candidates <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/state\/3895433\/georgia-messy-gop-senate-primary-needs-trump-endorsement\/\">aiming to unseat Ossoff<\/a> include Reps. <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/buddy-carter\/\">Buddy Carter<\/a> (R-GA) and <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/mike-collins\/\">Mike Collins<\/a> (R-GA), former Tennessee football coach Derek Dooley, and horse trainer <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"http:\/\/reaganforsenate.com\/about-reagan-box\/\">Reagan Box<\/a>.<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-ohio-senate-race-and-gubernatorial-election\">Ohio Senate race and gubernatorial election<\/h2>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Sen. Jon Husted (R-OH), left, and former Democratic Sen. Sherrod Brown, right. (AP Photo\/Sue Ogrocki, File, and AP Photo\/Joshua A. Bickel, File)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Ohio&rsquo;s Senate election will see incumbent Sen. Jon Husted (R-OH) run for his seat after <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/senate\/3285054\/dewine-jon-husted-appointment-vance-senate-seat-ohio\/\">being appointed <\/a>to it by Gov. <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/mike-dewine\/\">Mike DeWine<\/a> (R-OH) in January. Husted&rsquo;s appointment was made just a few days before then-Sen. <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/jd-vance\/\">JD Vance<\/a> was inaugurated as the nation&rsquo;s 50th vice president.<\/p>\n<p>Various Democratic candidates are running in the party&rsquo;s primary, one of whom is former Democratic Sen. Sherrod Brown, <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/congressional\/3215224\/sherrod-brown-bernie-moreno-ohio-senate-race\/\">who lost reelection in 2024<\/a> to Republican challenger Bernie Moreno. Brown is painting his comeback bid as &ldquo;<a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/3498121\/sherrod-brown-2026-senate-campaign-launch-ohio-seat\/\">standing up for workers<\/a>,&rdquo; which he argues is not happening in Washington and is the purpose of his run.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Ohio gubernatorial candidate Vivek Ramaswamy, left, and Dr. Amy Acton, right. (AP Photo\/Carolyn Kaster, and AP Photo\/Tony Dejak)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><strong><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/3923961\/dnc-ken-martin-backtracks-2024-autopsy-report\/\">DNC CHAIRMAN KEN MARTIN BACKTRACKS ON RELEASING 2024 AUTOPSY REPORT<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Former 2024 presidential candidate <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/vivek-ramaswamy\/\">Vivek Ramaswamy<\/a> didn&rsquo;t win the Republican Party&rsquo;s <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/nevada-makes-move-to-become-first-state-in-presidential-primaries\/\" title=\"Nevada Makes Move To Become First State In Presidential Primaries\">presidential primary race<\/a>, but he did gain major name recognition as an ally to Trump in his run. He announced his<a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/state\/3328723\/vivek-ramaswamy-enters-ohio-governors-race\/\"> candidacy for the Ohio governor&rsquo;s mansion<\/a> in February, scoring the <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/congressional\/3406807\/ohio-gop-endorses-vivek-ramaswamy-for-governor\/\">Ohio Republican Party State Central Committee&rsquo;s backing<\/a> a few months later.<\/p>\n<p>Ramaswamy is likely to face <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/state\/3895162\/tim-ryan-wont-run-ohio-governor-amy-acton\/\">Dr. Amy Acton as his Democratic opponent<\/a>. She is the former state health director.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>2026 key elections: Democrats aim to regain House control<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2632,"featured_media":2523467,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/MixCollage-16-Dec-2025-10-20-AM-8716.jpg?w=696","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[33651],"tags":[42974,66106,35078,69146,35283],"class_list":["post-2523466","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-the-western-journal","tag-2026-elections","tag-election-watch","tag-political-events","tag-upcoming-elections","tag-voting-trends"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/MixCollage-16-Dec-2025-10-20-AM-8716.jpg?w=696","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2523466","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2632"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2523466"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2523466\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2523470,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2523466\/revisions\/2523470"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2523467"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2523466"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2523466"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2523466"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}