Democrats need net gain of four Senate seats amid competitive races

Democrats need a net gain of four seats to take control of the Senate, and several Republican-held seats have become competitive amid voter concerns about living costs and the Iran war. In North Carolina, former Gov. Roy Cooper is one of Democrats’ strongest challengers, facing Republican Michael Whatley, President Donald Trump’s endorsed candidate, in an open race after Sen. Thom Tillis’s retirement. Cooper has emphasized affordability and criticized Trump’s policies, while Whatley has campaigned alongside Trump and Vice President JD Vance; polls and campaign-spending shifts have suggested Whatley is vulnerable. Ohio is another key contest: appointed Republican Sen. Jon Husted faces former Democratic Sen. Sherrod Brown in a special election, with a recent poll showing Brown narrowly ahead within the margin of error and spending approaching $270 million.