Politics

Texas and Iowa Senate races are competitive ahead of midterms

Axios · August 20, 2026Original source ↗

Texas and Iowa Senate races are competitive ahead of midterms

What happened

Recent projections from Cook Political Report indicate that Senate races in Texas and Iowa have shifted from lean Republican to toss-up. The Texas race features Republican Ken Paxton and Democrat James Talarico, while Iowa's race includes Republican Ashley Hinson and Democrat Josh Turek.

Why it matters

The outcome of these races will affect the control of the U.S. Senate.

How this story affects people

How does this story affect you if you live in Texas or Iowa?

The competitiveness of the Senate races means your vote could play a crucial role in determining the balance of power in the U.S. Senate. Increased campaign activity and voter engagement in these states could directly influence local issues and policies that affect your community.

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