Which Senate races did the BBC Global News Podcast single out in the 2026 US midterms?

BBC correspondent Shaima Khalil named Michigan, where Democrat Abdul El-Sayed faces Trump-backed Republican Mike Rogers and could become America's first Muslim senator; Georgia, where Democrat Jon Ossoff defends his seat against Mike Collins; Texas, where James Talarico challenges Ken Paxton; and Alaska, where Senator Dan Sullivan faces Mary Peltola. Helena Humphrey added Maine, where Republican Susan Collins faces logger Troy Jackson.

Republicans held both the House and the Senate going into the 3 November 2026 vote.
Alaska's ballot also carried a second candidate with almost the same name as Peltola, prompting accusations of an attempt to confuse voters.
Democrats were also expected to contest Iowa, Kansas and Ohio, though the BBC noted polls have often misjudged US elections.

▸In their words

“This race is close. All the races are close. I need your help.” Mike Collins · at 3:59 — open in the transcript →

Source: our own transcription of the episode. The full conversation is on Global News Podcast (2026-11-03). Read the whole episode summary →

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