Why the fight for the Senate is looking up for Democrats 🥊 - Chris Cillizza

Democrats scored a major recruiting win as former Ohio Senator Sherrod Brown announced he’ll run in 2026 for the seat currently held by Republican John Husted, appointed after JD Vance became vice president. While Ohio leans Republican, Brown’s candidacy makes the race competitive and could force the GOP to spend heavily there, diverting resources from other battlegrounds. Nationally, Democrats need to net four Senate seats to retake control, and recent high-profile candidate announcements — including Roy Cooper in North Carolina and strong contenders in Minnesota, New Hampshire, and potentially Maine, Texas, and Iowa — suggest optimism about 2026. Strong recruits broaden the map and improve Democratic odds if the political environment breaks their way.