The key races to watch for the 2026 election
This article details key Senate and House races for the 2026 election, focusing on the battle for Senate control and specific bellwether districts. It also notes the relevance of some races to the crypto industry's legislative efforts and discusses the reliability of polling versus prediction markets.
Why it matters
The outcomes of these elections will determine party control of Congress, influencing future legislative agendas, including those impacting the cryptocurrency sector and broader economic policy.
The big question is which party will control the Senate in January. Republicans currently control 53 seats, while Democrats control 45. Two independent senators fill out that body, though they both caucus with Democrats. Democrats are expected to flip the North Carolina Senate seat being vacated by retiring Senator Thom Tillis (R), and they'll need to flip four overall to gain control of that body. There are currently seven Senate races rated as "tossups" on Cook Political Report.
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