Nine states put Senate control and governors' offices in focus for midterms

Voters will decide contests with consequences for control of Congress and state governments on Tuesday, Nov. 3, as Republicans seek to preserve their House and Senate majorities during President Donald Trump's second term. Nine states feature prominent races involving open seats, incumbent senators and competing bids for governors' offices.

In Texas, Republican Attorney General Ken Paxton and Democratic state Rep. James Talarico are competing to replace outgoing Republican Sen. John Cornyn. Texas has not elected a Democratic senator since Lloyd Bentsen in 1988. Republican Gov. Greg Abbott is also pursuing a fourth term against Democratic state Rep. Gina Hinojosa, with border security, education and the economy among the issues. Polls close at 8 p.m. Eastern in most areas and 9 p.m. elsewhere.

Ohio's Senate contest brings former Democratic Sen. Sherrod Brown up against Republican Sen. Jon Husted, who was appointed to the seat previously held by Vice President JD Vance. Republican Vivek Ramaswamy and Democrat Amy Acton are competing to succeed term-limited Republican Gov. Mike DeWine. Ramaswamy's campaign recently withdrew an advertisement featuring Acton's estranged mother after criticism that included objections from DeWine. Ohio voting ends at 7:30 p.m. Eastern.

Michigan voters will choose between former Republican Rep. Mike Rogers and Democrat Abdul El-Sayed for retiring Democratic Sen. Gary Peters' seat. Democratic Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson faces Republican Rep. John James for governor. Polls close at 8 p.m. Eastern, with some areas voting until 9 p.m. In neighboring Wisconsin, where polls close at 9 p.m. Eastern, Republican Rep. Tom Tiffany and Democratic Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley are competing to succeed Democratic Gov. Tony Evers.

Georgia Democratic Sen. Jon Ossoff faces Republican Rep. Mike Collins in a state Trump narrowly won in 2024. The race for governor pairs Republican businessman Rick Jackson with former Democratic Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms, as term-limited Republican Gov. Brian Kemp prepares to leave office. Georgia polls close at 7 p.m. Eastern.

Iowa has two open statewide contests. Republican Rep. Ashley Hinson and Democratic state Rep. Josh Turek are seeking the Senate seat Republican Joni Ernst is leaving. Democratic state Auditor Rob Sand faces Republican Zach Lahn in the contest to replace retiring Republican Gov. Kim Reynolds. Affordability, agriculture and state economic policy are central issues in a state that has moved toward Republicans in recent elections. Polls close at 9 p.m. Eastern.

In Nevada, Republican Gov. Joe Lombardo is seeking reelection against Democratic Attorney General Aaron Ford. Housing costs, education and public safety are among the issues confronting voters. Lombardo, a former Clark County sheriff, defeated Democratic Gov. Steve Sisolak in 2022. Nevada polls close at 10 p.m. Eastern.

Maine Republican Sen. Susan Collins faces former Democratic state Senate President Troy Jackson in a contest that could influence Senate control. Collins remains New England's only Republican in Congress and is defending her seat in a state Kamala Harris won in 2024. Polls close at 8 p.m. Eastern.

Florida voters will choose between Republican Rep. Byron Donalds and David Jolly, a former Republican congressman now running as a Democrat, to replace term-limited Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis. Republican Sen. Ashley Moody, appointed after Marco Rubio became secretary of state, faces Democratic state Rep. Angie Nixon in a special Senate election. Competitive House races also carry national implications. Polls close at 7 p.m. Eastern in most areas and 8 p.m. in others.