US midterms latest: Democrats eye Senate gains in Alaska, Maine and South Carolina

With three weeks until the US midterm elections, Democrats and Republicans are intensifying their campaigns for control of Congress. President Donald Trump campaigned in New York for a Republican challenger seeking to unseat Governor Kathy Hochul. In Maine, Senator Bernie Sanders joined Democrat Troy Jackson for a three-city tour as the race for the Senate remains closely contested. In South Carolina, Republican Darline Graham and Democrat Annie Andrews exchanged accusations over their qualifications and political positions in a race once considered safe for Republicans. Alaska has also emerged as a closely watched battleground, where former Democratic congresswoman Mary Peltola leads incumbent Republican Senator Dan S. Sullivan in recent polling. The state's ranked-choice voting system has added an unusual twist, with another Republican candidate, Dan J. Sullivan, appearing on the ballot alongside the incumbent. Peltola could become the first Alaska Native woman elected to the US Senate. Republicans currently hold a 53–47 Senate majority, meaning Democrats need a net gain of four seats to take control. Competitive races in Georgia, Michigan, New Hampshire, Maine, North Carolina, Kansas, Ohio, Iowa and Texas could ultimately determine which party controls the chamber. Subscribe to our channel: http://bit.ly/AJSubscribe Follow us on X: https://X.com/AJEnglish Find us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/aljazeera Check our website: http://www.aljazeera.com/ Check out our Instagram page: https://www.instagram.com/aljazeeraenglish/ Download AJE Mobile App: https://aje.news/AJEMobile #USMidterms2026 #USMidterms #USElections2026 #USSenate #SenateElections #DonaldTrump #Democrats #Republicans #AlaskaSenate #MaineSenate #SouthCarolina #SenateMajority #AlJazeeraEnglish