How to watch critical 2026 midterm election races in TX, OH, MI, WI, GA, IA, NV, ME and FL

Nine states have featured prominently in the 2026 midterm elections, with voters deciding close Senate and House contests and several governor’s races. The results will determine control of Congress and influence state governments during President Donald Trump’s second term.

In Texas, Ken Paxton faced James Talarico for the Senate seat held by John Cornyn, while Greg Abbott sought a fourth term against Gina Hinojosa. Ohio’s Senate race featured Sherrod Brown against appointed incumbent Jon Husted, alongside a governor’s contest between Vivek Ramaswamy and Amy Acton. Michigan had an open Senate race between Mike Rogers and Abdul El-Sayed, plus a governor’s race between Jocelyn Benson and John James; Wisconsin’s open governor’s contest was between Tom Tiffany and David Crowley. The article also names Georgia, Iowa, Nevada, Maine and Florida among the states to watch, and gives poll-closing times for some contests.