Schumer Says Democrats Aim to Gain Four Senate Seats in 2026

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer said Democrats are positioned to regain Senate control in the 2026 midterm elections by securing a net gain of four seats. Schumer made the comments in an interview released Saturday with Punchbowl News. “Big picture — we’re sticking it to them and winning,” he said.

“We are poised to take back the Senate. We needed multiple paths. ” In Michigan, Schumer publicly endorsed Rep. Haley Stevens in the Democratic primary to succeed retiring Sen. Gary Peters. The primary is set for Aug.

4. Stevens faces state Sen. Mallory McMorrow and Abdul El-Sayed. ” El-Sayed has endorsements from Sen. Bernie Sanders, Reps. Ro Khanna, Rashida Tlaib, and Pramila Jayapal, and Hasan Piker. McMorrow is backed by Sens.

Elizabeth Warren, Chris Murphy, Martin Heinrich, and Peter Welch, plus state Senate Majority Leader Winnie Brinks. Former Rep. Mike Rogers is the presumptive Republican nominee. Michigan has elected a Republican senator only once in the last 50 years.

Schumer also recruited former Sen. Sherrod Brown to run in Ohio and former Rep. Mary Peltola in Alaska. In Iowa, Schumer-backed nominee Josh Turek won the Democratic primary. “We try to find candidates who really fit the states, not fit the national Democratic Party, but the states,” Schumer said.

’” In Maine, Schumer originally supported Gov. Janet Mills, who dropped out in April. Progressive oysterman Graham Platner won the Democratic nomination to challenge Sen. Susan Collins. Schumer has since endorsed Platner.

Schumer said Republican divisions under President Donald Trump are creating openings for Democrats. “It’s almost as if Trump wants to deliberately sabotage the Senate Republicans,” he said.