Here are the Senate races to watch ahead of Election Day

NPR · PBS NewsHour and PBS NewsHour report that the fight for the Senate has spread well beyond the usual battlegrounds, with Democrats competitive in several states President Donald Trump carried comfortably in 2024, while ballots are being cast at a record-setting pace. Republicans hold a 53-47 majority, and Democrats need a net gain of four seats to take control.

NPR · PBS NewsHour says the Cook Political Report lists Alaska, Iowa, Kansas, Ohio and Texas as Toss Ups, and sees North Carolina as a probable Democratic pickup, with former Gov. Roy Cooper favored. It identifies Michigan as the Republicans' best chance to flip a seat, and says turnout among Republicans may decide whether Democrats gain one or two seats or as many as six or seven. It also describes a dispute in Alaska over a recruited candidate named Daniel J. Sullivan, which Republicans call criminal.

PBS NewsHour, citing an Associated Press analysis, adds that more than 43 million people have voted early, nearly 10 million more than in 2022. Texas is up 50%, with more than 6.3 million ballots, and South Carolina is up 83%.

Summarized by PolitiKool from NPR · PBS NewsHour and PBS NewsHour’s reporting. Read the full story at NPR · PBS NewsHour → Also at PBS NewsHour →