Bucks County votes as 13 Senate races decide congressional control

Bucks County residents are heading to the polls on Tuesday, November 3, 2026, to participate in the midterm elections. According to Ballotpedia, polling places in Pennsylvania are open from 7 a.m. To 8 p.m. Local time. Voters in the county, which includes communities near Philadelphia, Bethlehem, and Allentown, are deciding who will represent them in the U.S. House of Representatives and choosing the next governor of Pennsylvania. While there is no U.S. Senate election in Pennsylvania this year, the outcome of the national Senate races will shape the balance of power in Congress for the final two years of President Donald Trump's second term.

In Pennsylvania, incumbent Democratic Governor Josh Shapiro is on the ballot, facing challengers from the Republican and Libertarian parties. The Associated Press notes that the election is being viewed as a referendum on the current administration, with many voters expressing concern over high prices and an unpopular war with Iran. In the state's congressional districts, several prominent incumbents are running for re-election, including Republican Brian Fitzpatrick and Democrat Brendan Boyle. The result of these House races is critical because Democrats need a net gain of three districts to take control of the chamber, while Republicans can lose no more than two seats to maintain their majority.

Nationally, 35 of the 100 U.S. Senate seats are up for grabs. This includes 33 regular elections and two special elections for the remainder of the terms previously held by Marco Rubio in Florida and JD Vance in Ohio. Republicans currently hold 53 Senate seats, while Democrats hold 45, plus two independents who caucus with the Democrats. According to Ballotpedia, Democrats need a net gain of four seats to secure a majority in the Senate. Republicans can afford to lose only two seats to keep control. Eleven senators are not seeking re-election, creating open seats in several key states.

Thirteen Senate races are considered battlegrounds, according to ratings from the Cook Political Report, Decision Desk, Inside Elections, and the University of Virginia’s Center for Politics. In Georgia, Democratic Senator Jon Ossoff is defending his seat in a state that Donald Trump won by 2.2 points in 2024. In Maine, Republican Senator Susan Collins faces Democratic challenger Troy Jackson in a race rated as a toss-up by all four major ratings groups. The Associated Press reports that economic strain and tariffs have made Maine a competitive environment for the race.

In Michigan, the Senate seat is open because Democratic Senator Gary Peters is retiring. Republican former Representative Mike Rogers is competing against Democrat Abdul El-Sayed. On Sunday, El-Sayed’s former primary opponent, Haley Stevens, endorsed Rogers. In North Carolina, former Governor Roy Cooper is running against former Republican National Committee chair Michael Whatley for the seat left vacant by retiring Senator Thom Tillis. Tillis had clashed with President Trump, which influenced the dynamics of the race. These races are closely watched because they could tip the balance of power in the Senate.

Other critical races include Ohio, where Democratic former Senator Sherrod Brown is challenging Republican Senator Jon Husted. In Texas, Republican Attorney General Ken Paxton, who received President Trump’s backing over incumbent John Cornyn, is facing Democrat James Talarico. In New Hampshire, Democratic Representative Chris Pappas is running against former Republican Senator John E. Sununu for the seat vacated by retiring Democrat Jeanne Shaheen. In Alaska, the Trump administration has filed a lawsuit related to the certification of the Senate result, adding a layer of complexity to a race that is rated as a toss-up to lean Democratic.

The Associated Press describes the mood among voters as one of struggle with high prices. An AP-NORC poll indicates that 35% of U.S. Adults approve of President Trump’s job performance, while only 25% approve of his handling of the economy. About seven in 10 adults say the country is heading in the wrong direction. More than 57 million people had already voted by Monday, surpassing early vote totals from four years ago in many closely watched states. Republicans are bracing for the possibility of losing the House but are fighting to hold the Senate, while Democrats are described as cautiously optimistic about their chances.

President Trump has held dozens of rallies to boost Republican turnout, ending his schedule on Sunday in Salina, Kansas, where he told supporters, "I really want you to pretend I'm on the ballot." His schedule included stops in Mississippi, South Carolina, and Texas. Many Republican candidates have kept some distance from the President, who has continued to make claims about voting fraud, including allegations that noncitizens vote in large numbers. The administration has sued in Alaska and California, and Democrats have expressed fears about interference and intimidation as the Justice Department threatens to prosecute local election officials.

Money is playing a significant role in the 2026 elections, which are likely to be the most expensive in history. Republican committees have outraised and outspent their Democratic counterparts, aided by Trump-affiliated groups and Elon Musk. However, at the candidate level, Democrats have outraised their opponents. An AP analysis of AdImpact data shows that 88.1% of Republican general election TV ad spending went to states and districts that Trump won in 2024. This includes more than $850 million spent in areas where he won by 10 points or more, suggesting a strategy to consolidate support in Republican-leaning areas.