Senate Battles in Texas and the South Central Region: Key Races
Voters in Texas, Oklahoma, Louisiana, and Arkansas are deciding who will represent their states in the U.S. Senate during a pivotal midterm election.
By Robert Ward ·
On this Election Day, Tuesday, November 3, 2026, voters across the nation are casting ballots in a midterm election that will determine the balance of power in Congress for the final two years of President Donald Trump's second term. The Associated Press describes the contest as a referendum on the administration, with many voters expressing frustration over high prices and an unpopular war with Iran. As polls open in states across the South Central region, the focus is intensely on the U.S. Senate races that could tip control of the chamber to the Democrats.
In Texas, polls are open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. local time, and the state is holding an open Senate seat following the primary dynamics involving President Trump. Republican Attorney General Ken Paxton, who received Trump's backing over incumbent Senator John Cornyn during the primary, is facing Democrat James Talarico. This race is one of the most closely watched in the South Central region, with the 2024 presidential margin in the state favoring Trump by 13.6 points. The outcome here is critical for Republican hopes to maintain their majority in the Senate.
Neighboring Oklahoma also has an open Senate seat, with polls open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. According to Ballotpedia, the state is deciding its next senator in a race that is part of a broader wave of open seats in the region. While the specific candidates are not detailed in the primary battleground lists provided by the Associated Press, the open nature of the seat signifies a fresh start for the state's representation in Washington. Voters in Oklahoma are also choosing a new governor, as the seat is open, adding another layer of political significance to the day's elections.
In Louisiana, the voting schedule varies by the type of election, with Tuesday polls open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Saturday polls from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. The state is holding an open Senate race, meaning no incumbent is on the ballot. Ballotpedia notes that there is no governor race on the ballot in Louisiana this year. The open Senate seat places Louisiana in the same category as Texas and Oklahoma, where the lack of an incumbent can sometimes shift the dynamic of the campaign, although the state's strong Republican lean in the 2024 presidential election remains a key factor.
Arkansas voters are heading to the polls from 7:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. to decide the fate of the Senate seat currently held by incumbent Republican Tom Cotton. The state is also electing a governor, with incumbent Sarah Huckabee Sanders seeking re-election. Unlike the open seats in Texas, Oklahoma, and Louisiana, Arkansas is defending an incumbent senator in a state that Trump won by a significant margin in 2024. The race for governor adds to the stakes, as Arkansas is one of the many states where control of the executive branch could shift.
Beyond the South Central region, the Associated Press highlights several other key Senate matchups that will influence the national outcome. In North Carolina, polls are open from 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m., and Democratic former Governor Roy Cooper is challenging Republican Michael Whatley for the seat of retiring Senator Thom Tillis. Tillis retired after clashing with the President, creating an open seat in a state where the 2024 presidential margin was Trump plus 3.3 points. In Georgia, polls open at 7 a.m. and close at 7 p.m., with Senator Jon Ossoff facing Republican Representative Mike Collins. Georgia is considered a lean to likely Democratic race according to recent ratings, making it a crucial target for Democrats seeking to gain four seats for a majority.
In Ohio, polls are open from 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m., and the state is holding a special election for the Senate seat previously held by JD Vance. Republican Senator Jon Husted is running against Democratic former Senator Sherrod Brown. This race is part of the two special elections for the remainder of the terms elected in 2022. In Michigan, polls are open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m., and the state is deciding an open seat following the retirement of Senator Gary Peters. Republican former Representative Mike Rogers is facing Democrat Abdul El-Sayed, a race that has seen shifting endorsements and is rated as toss-up to lean Democratic.
Other notable races include Maine, where polls are open from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m., and Senator Susan Collins is facing Democratic former state Senate President Troy Jackson. The Associated Press notes that economic strain and tariffs have made this traditionally Republican state competitive. In New Hampshire, polls vary by town but generally close by 7 p.m., and Democrat Chris Pappas is challenging former Republican Senator John E. Sununu for the seat of retiring Senator Jeanne Shaheen. In Minnesota, polls are open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m., with a four-way race for the seat of retiring Senator Tina Smith, including Democratic Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan and Republican Michele Tafoya.
In Kansas, polls are open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Central time, and the state is defending the seat of Republican Senator Roger Marshall. Kansas has become central to the fight for Senate control, with the 2024 presidential margin favoring Trump by 16.2 points. The state is also holding a competitive governor race, which Democrats hope to flip as part of their broader strategy to gain a majority of governorships. In Alaska, polls are open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m., and the state is defending the seat of Republican Senator Dan Sullivan. The race is rated as toss-up to lean Democratic, and the Trump administration has filed a lawsuit related to the certification of the Senate result in the state.
