Four U.S. Senate races to watch: Can Democrats hold on to their majority in November?

Updated on October 2, 2024
by Caroline Molloy

Will the Democrats maintain their narrow majority in the U.S. Senate? The answer could depend on what happens in Montana, Ohio, Texas, and Florida.

There are 34 seats up in November — 23 are held by Democrats and 11 by Republicans. Currently, the Democrats have 51 seats to the Republicans’ 49 — with the retirement of Sen. Joe Manchin, West Virginia is expected to move to the Republican column in the solidly red state.

For the Democrats to hold on to their majority, all of their incumbents need to be reelected and they need to either flip a Republican seat or win the presidency. In the event of a 50-50 split, the vice president represents the tiebreaking vote.

Fewer than six weeks until Election Day, here are four races that could determine which party controls the Senate.