The Midterm Editor's note: This page was last updated October 27, 2026. Election rules, candidate fields, and poll numbers change; confirm the latest details with the linked official source before you vote.
The big picture
A midterm ballot is long. In a typical state, voters choose a governor, a senator, a member of Congress, state legislators, judges, county officials, and sometimes ballot measures. Most of those races get little national coverage.
Our people desk focuses on the races where a single result can change the balance of power: the six Senate races we follow most closely — Texas, Maine, Michigan, Georgia, North Carolina, and Ohio. We also track governors and the House districts most likely to flip.
We do not endorse candidates. A profile is a record of what a candidate has said and done, not a recommendation.
Key numbers
| Office | Seats on the 2026 ballot | What we track |
|---|---|---|
| U.S. Senate | 35 | Incumbent, challengers, race page, key votes |
| U.S. House | 435 | Incumbent, district, race page, committee roles |
| Governor | 36 states | Incumbent or open seat, term limits, record |
| State legislatures | Thousands of seats | Not covered individually at launch |
Candidates to watch
The table lists the profiles published at launch. Each profile carries its own last-updated date, sources, and a quick-facts table that marks anything unconfirmed. The race column opens the hub for the contest each candidate is running in.
| Candidate | Party | Office sought | Known role | Race | Profile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ken Paxton | Republican | U.S. Senate, Texas | Texas attorney general since 2015; former state senator | Texas Senate | Profile |
| James Talarico | Democratic | U.S. Senate, Texas | Texas House member since 2019; former teacher | Texas Senate | Profile |
| Susan Collins | Republican | U.S. Senate, Maine | U.S. senator from Maine since 1997; Appropriations chair | Maine Senate | Profile |
| Troy Jackson | Democratic | U.S. Senate, Maine | Maine Senate president; former logger | Maine Senate | Profile |
| Abdul El-Sayed | Democratic | U.S. Senate, Michigan | Physician; former Wayne County health director; 2018 gubernatorial candidate | Michigan Senate | Profile |
| Mike Rogers | Republican | U.S. Senate, Michigan | Former U.S. representative (MI-8); former FBI agent | Michigan Senate | Profile |
| Jon Ossoff | Democratic | U.S. Senate, Georgia | U.S. senator from Georgia since 2021 | Georgia Senate | Profile |
| Mike Collins | Republican | U.S. Senate, Georgia | U.S. representative from Georgia | Georgia Senate | Profile |
| Roy Cooper | Democratic | U.S. Senate, North Carolina | North Carolina governor 2017–2025; former attorney general | North Carolina Senate | Profile |
| Michael Whatley | Republican | U.S. Senate, North Carolina | Former Republican National Committee chair | North Carolina Senate | Profile |
| Jon Husted | Republican | U.S. Senate, Ohio | U.S. senator from Ohio since 2025; former Ohio secretary of state | Ohio Senate | Profile |
| Sherrod Brown | Democratic | U.S. Senate, Ohio | U.S. senator from Ohio 2007–2025; former U.S. representative | Ohio Senate | Profile |
How we report on candidates
A candidate profile is only as good as its sourcing. We build each one from official campaign websites, federal and state filings, public voting records, and reporting by major outlets such as the Associated Press. Where a fact cannot be confirmed, we flag the specific item that needs checking rather than guess.
We do not describe a candidate's personality, speculate about motives, or repeat an unproven allegation as fact. For legal matters, we use "charged," "accused," or "alleged," and link to the court record or a wire report when one exists. If a candidate has no relevant controversies, we say so.
We also do not claim to have interviewed candidates unless we did. This site is a voter guide, not a newsroom with correspondents in the field.
Beyond the Senate
The Senate gets the most attention, but the House and governor races decide just as much. Our House hub tracks the districts most likely to flip, and our governors hub follows the 36 state races. Profiles for those races will be added as they come into focus. The voting hub explains how to find every candidate on your ballot.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is running in the 2026 midterms?
Hundreds of candidates, from Senate and House contenders to state legislative and local races. This hub profiles the candidates in the races that decide control of Congress and the governorships. Your ballot includes many races we do not cover.
How do I find all the candidates on my ballot?
Use Vote.gov to check your registration and look up your polling place, then check your state or county election office for a sample ballot. Sample ballots usually list every candidate and measure you will see.
Does The Midterm Ledger endorse candidates?
No. We publish voter guides and candidate profiles. We do not endorse candidates or parties, and we do not rank candidates.
How do you verify a candidate's background?
We rely on official campaign sites, federal and state filings, public voting records, and reporting from major outlets. Items we cannot confirm are flagged for a reader to check. We do not publish a fact we cannot source.
Why do some profiles have missing details?
Because we would rather leave a field blank than guess. Ages, hometowns, net worth, and family details are often reported inconsistently. If a detail is not confirmed by a reliable source, the profile says so.
How often are profiles updated?
Each profile carries a published and updated date. We update a profile when a candidate's role, race, or public record changes, and we re-check race matchups before each update.
Sources
- Associated Press — candidate reporting and race calls. Accessed October 27, 2026.
- 270toWin: 2026 Senate elections — race list. Accessed October 27, 2026.
- Federal Election Commission — campaign finance filings. Accessed October 27, 2026.
- National Conference of State Legislatures — state election rules. Accessed October 27, 2026.
- Vote.gov — registration and ballot lookup. Accessed October 27, 2026.
Last updated October 27, 2026. Profiles are based on public records and late-October reporting; each linked page carries its own sources and date.