The state of play for the 2026 election is coming into focus.
Republicans don’t like what they see.
And John Kennedy slammed one panic button: the worst-case scenario for 2026.
Democrats need to win four Republican-held seats to flip the majority in the United States Senate.
A Chuck Schumer-controlled Senate means the end of Trump’s presidency.
And at the outset of the cycle, both parties thought they knew the terrain, with the key races taking place in Alaska, Ohio, Michigan, North Carolina, and Maine.
But thanks to GOP establishment sabotage in Texas and RINOs muscling through a weak candidate in Iowa, those two states are now on the board.
And two more ruby red citadels are now in play thanks to Senate Republicans depressing the Trump base enthusiasm by refusing to pass the SAVE Act, as Louisiana Senator John Kennedy announced he was taking the worrisome step of campaigning for Republican incumbents running for re-election in Kansas and Nebraska.
“We’ve got to talk about the economy. We’ve got to talk about the cost of living,” Kennedy said. “This weekend, I’m going to Kansas, Nebraska, and Iowa to help raise money and campaign for our very good candidates. If you told me six months ago I was going to be having to spend my time in those three states, I wouldn’t have believed you. Those oughta be fat guy layups for us. Now we’re gonna win there. But the races are close,” Kennedy told reporters.
Those races have shifted in the Democrats’ direction after the Senate rejected Trump’s call to abolish the filibuster and pass the SAVE Act.
“Cook Political Report rates the races in Kansas and Nebraska as “likely” Republican holds and Iowa as a “toss-up.” Sen. Roger Marshall (R-KS) is aiming to fend off a challenge from Democratic pastor Adam Hamilton, while Sen. Pete Ricketts (R-NE) will face independent challenger Dan Osborn, Mediaite reports.
New polls show Kansas Senator Roger Marshall and Nebraska incumbent Pete Ricketts trailing their Democratic opponents.
KANSAS POLL By Emerson (A)
SENATE
🟦 Adam Hamilton: 45%
🟥 Roger Marshall: 43%
🟨 David Graham: 4%
——
GOVERNOR
🟥 Ty Masterson: 51%
🟦 Cindy Holscher: 44%
——
Net Favs
Hamilton: +11
Marshall: -72024 recalled: Trump 53-40 | 9/15-16 pic.twitter.com/wWfYzbP3zb
— InteractivePolls (@IAPolls2022) September 18, 2026
Nebraska Senate crosstabs by SurveyUSA (A)
🟨 Osborn: 46%
🟥 Ricketts: 42%
🟪 Other: 4%
⬜️ Not sure: 7%
——
Likely voters
🟡 Definite: Osborn +8
🔴 Probable: Ricketts +13
——
🟡 Independents: Osborn +51
🟡 Moderate: Osborn +47
—
🟡 NE-01: Osborn +14
🟡 NE-02: Osborn +7
🔴 NE-03:… https://t.co/W6uZ5EkjPt pic.twitter.com/2Dhw7Mgfqj— InteractivePolls (@IAPolls2022) September 14, 2026
President Trump ended Iowa’s status as a swing state by winning it three times in landslide fashion.
But without Trump on the ballot, RINOs running on their own are in trouble.
Establishment-backed Senate GOP nominee Ashley Hinson refused to appear at a campaign event with Vice President J.D. Vance.
And Iowa Representatives Zach Nunn and Mary Miller-Meeks voted with Democrats on a War Powers Act resolution to end the Iran War.
Republicans are confronting a tough political environment in 2026.
John Kennedy let voters know just how difficult it is.
American Patriot Daily will keep you up to date on any new developments in this ongoing story and other breaking news in politics. Please bookmark our site, make it your homepage, and share our content with your friends on social media and by email.