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  1. Long reads
20 October 2010updated 12 Oct 2023 9:54am

15 key US midterm races

US voters go to the polls on 2 November. Here is our pick of 15 midterm races worth watching.

By Rob Higson

Republicans across the country are hoping to benefit electorally from disappointment with Barack Obama and, in particular, the problems in the US economy. The GOP is fighting hard to win back both the House of Representatives and the Senate.

These elections, involving the most expensive midterm campaigns in US electoral history, will be seen as a political virility test of the Tea Party conservative movement, which has already notched up several surprising victories over more moderate Republican candidates in the primaries.

In total, all 435 members of the House of Representatives are up for election, together with a third of the 100 seats in the Senate (37 in all). There are also 37 gubernatorial elections being contested.

Not since 1962 has the political party of a sitting president gained the majority of seats in the House during midterms.

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The following list, though by no means exhaustive, gives an idea of some of the key races to watch.

The results will be known soon after voters go to the polls on 2 November.

1. Nevada – Senate

2. Delaware – Senate

3. California – Senate

4. New York governorship

5. Connecticut – Senate

6. Florida – Senate

7. Ohio – Senate

8. Washington – Senate

9. Colorado – Senate

10. California governorship

11. Pennsylvania – Senate

12. Alabama – House, Second District

13. Kentucky – Senate

14. Alaska – Senate

15. Ohio – House, First District

You can follow Rob Higson on Twitter.

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Select and enter your email address Your weekly guide to the best writing on ideas, politics, books and culture every Saturday. The best way to sign up for The Saturday Read is via saturdayread.substack.com The New Statesman's quick and essential guide to the news and politics of the day. The best way to sign up for Morning Call is via morningcall.substack.com Our Thursday ideas newsletter, delving into philosophy, criticism, and intellectual history. The best way to sign up for The Salvo is via thesalvo.substack.com Stay up to date with NS events, subscription offers & updates. Weekly analysis of the shift to a new economy from the New Statesman's Spotlight on Policy team. The best way to sign up for The Green Transition is via spotlightonpolicy.substack.com
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  • Wellbeing, Community / Social Services
Visit our privacy Policy for more information about our services, how New Statesman Media Group may use, process and share your personal data, including information on your rights in respect of your personal data and how you can unsubscribe from future marketing communications.
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