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Just dropped · Trial Balloon · Ep. 194

What Just Happened?

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Trial Balloon · Ep. 194: What Just Happened?

How Many Senate Seats Are in Reach for Democrats?

October 9, 2026 · 7:37 am ET · Leave a Comment

Punchbowl News: “The Senate battleground has stretched to include some of the reddest states from Kansas to Alaska. Trump is even heading to the Last Frontier next week to help incumbent GOP Sen. Dan Sullivan, who faces a tough challenge from former Democratic Rep. Mary Peltola.”

“But here’s a crazy thought: What if Democrats win nearly all of these races? What if they end up with 52 seats heading into the 120th Congress, making Minority Leader Chuck Schumer the Senate majority leader once again?”

“Some Democrats are privately speculating this could happen. They’re getting closed-door briefings from DSCC Chair Kirsten Gillibrand and other party strategists that are leaving them somewhat giddy over the possibilities.”

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2026 Campaign, Senate

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Taegan Goddard

Taegan Goddard

Taegan Goddard is the founder of Political Wire -- which for more than two decades has been one of the nation's most influential political news sites.

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