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U.S. Senate

A Review of US Senate Elections without Two Major Party Candidates

By Dr. Eric Ostermeier | February 15, 2026 | 6
New Mexico Republican Party logo

Voters in at least one and in as many as four states will not have candidates from both major parties on the ballot in 2026’s U.S. Senate elections.

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How Often Do Sitting US Senators Place Third (Or Worse) in Primaries?

By Dr. Eric Ostermeier | February 9, 2026 | 5
Photo of Texas Republican U.S. Senator John Cornyn

A competitive Texas Republican U.S. Senate primary could lead to a result not seen in more than 60 years.

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Minnesota Poised to Elect a Woman to US Senate for 5th Straight Contest

By Dr. Eric Ostermeier | January 25, 2026 | 5

Only four states have ever accomplished this historical feat.

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Comparing the Electoral Experience of Texas’ GOP US Senate Primary Fields Across the Decades

By Dr. Eric Ostermeier | December 11, 2025 | 0
Texas Republican Party logo

A record four candidates seeking the 2026 Republican nomination have been elected to political office.

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Texas GOP Eyes Most Competitive US Senate Primary Since…1930

By Dr. Eric Ostermeier | October 14, 2025 | 0
Texas Republican Party logo

It has been 95 years since three Texas GOP U.S. Senate candidates received 20+ percent of the primary vote.

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John Sununu and a History of US Senators Serving Interrupted Terms

By Dr. Eric Ostermeier | September 11, 2025 | 2
Photo of New Hampshire U.S. Senator John E. Sununu

Sununu’s 18-year gap in service would be the longest in the chamber since the early 1900s.

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How Unusual Is Joni Ernst’s Exit?

By Dr. Eric Ostermeier | September 4, 2025 | 4
Photo of Iowa U.S. Senator Joni Ernst

More than seven in eight women to win election to the U.S. Senate serving in their first or second terms sought to retain their seat.

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27 States in the Midst of Record GOP or Democratic US Senate Winning Streaks

By Dr. Eric Ostermeier | August 23, 2025 | 2
Official seal of the US Senate

Six of the Top 10 longest Republican Party records are currently active across three regions of the country.

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A Review of North Carolina Governors Running for US Senate

By Dr. Eric Ostermeier | July 25, 2025 | 2
Photograph of North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper

Only one sitting or former Tar Heel State governor has been elected to the U.S. Senate during the last 70 years.

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Will Nebraska Democrats Make History in 2026?

By Dr. Eric Ostermeier | July 11, 2025 | 2
Nebraska Republican Party logo

No state has gone back-to-back cycles without a Democratic candidate on a U.S. Senate ballot.

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Minnesota Historical Election Archive

Explore over 160 years of election results in Minnesota

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