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You are here: Home / 2026 Campaign / Democrats Chart Long-Shot Path to Retake Senate

Democrats Chart Long-Shot Path to Retake Senate

January 16, 2026 at 5:55 am EST By Taegan Goddard Leave a Comment

“Democrats are voicing growing confidence about their long-shot push to reclaim control of the Senate, identifying a narrow path to the majority in November’s midterm elections that is still strewn with obstacles,” the Washington Post reports.

“Breaking Republicans’ 53-47 grip on the chamber was once seen as an almost impossible goal for the party, with nearly two-thirds of the seats on the ballot coming in states that President Donald Trump won in 2024. While it remains a steep climb, a string of recruiting wins, persistent voter concerns about the cost of living and a backlash to much of the Trump administration’s agenda have moved Democrats closer to what would be a seismic upset.”

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About Political Wire

goddard-bw-snapshotTaegan Goddard is the founder of Political Wire, one of the earliest and most influential political web sites. He also runs Political Job Hunt, Electoral Vote Map and the Political Dictionary.

Goddard spent more than a decade as managing director and chief operating officer of a prominent investment firm in New York City. Previously, he was a policy adviser to a U.S. Senator and Governor.

Goddard is also co-author of You Won - Now What? (Scribner, 1998), a political management book hailed by prominent journalists and politicians from both parties. In addition, Goddard's essays on politics and public policy have appeared in dozens of newspapers across the country.

Goddard earned degrees from Vassar College and Harvard University. He lives in New York with his wife and three sons.

Goddard is the owner of Goddard Media LLC.

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