Democrats plot multi-path bid for Senate majority in red-leaning map

Democrats say they have multiple routes to a 2026 Senate majority, touting strong candidates in deep-red states and a campaign message focused on costs and health care. The DSCC memo flags Alaska, Iowa, Maine, North Carolina and Ohio as top pickup opportunities, with robust efforts in Michigan, Georgia and New Hampshire. Primaries in Maine and elsewhere could threaten some races and have sparked pushback from progressives who worry the DSCC is backing establishment candidates. Gillibrand says the map has expanded and Democrats can win by highlighting Trump’s costly policies and maintaining health care protections, while noting potential opportunities in Texas and Mississippi as part of a broader, opportunistic expansion. Overall, Democrats remain hopeful about flipping seats Trump carried while navigating intra-party debates about strategy.