From Montana to Michigan, the key US Congress races to watch out for on November 5

Days before the US presidential election, fierce contests between Vice President and Democrat nominee Kamala Harris and Republican nominee Donald Trump continue to dominate headlines.

However, alongside the November 5 polls , the fate of the Senate and the House of Representatives will also be determined.

Notably, the next US president’s ability to govern and enact his or her policy agenda will largely depend on which party wins control of both houses of Congress. If a president’s party controls both, it will be far easier to get legislation passed.

Here are some key races to look out for:

Senate

In the 100-seat US Senate, Democrats presently hold the smallest number of majority, with a 51-49 lead made up of 47 senators and four independents who often vote with them.

On Tuesday, 34 seats are up for grabs.

Joe Manchin of West Virginia, a Democrat-turned-independent who is not seeking reelection, is essentially guaranteed to lose at least one seat to the Republican Party. Jim Justice, a well-liked Republican Governor, is anticipated to succeed him.

More from United States Of America

From father's advice to pastor's call: How Charlie Kirk's shooter Tyler Robinson was turned in to police Charlie Kirk: Killer still at large, motive uncertain; FBI releases photo with $100,000 reward

Any other flip into the Republicans’ red column would give them control of the chamber.

Also read:  _Harris vs Trump: A look at where each stands on key issues ahead of the US presidential debate_

Montana

The lone senator who is also a working farmer, Democratic incumbent Jon Tester, is engaged in a challenging fight to retain his seat in Montana, a state that supported Trump in both 2016 and 2020.

Republican Tim Sheehy, a former Navy SEAL who is now the CEO of an aerospace company, is running against him and is currently leading opinion surveys.

Sheehy has been accused of lying about suffering military injuries.

Ohio

Sherrod Brown, a 71-year-old Democrat, has served as Ohio’s senator since 2007. He is hoping for another six-year term, but this state also voted for Trump in the last two presidential elections.

The Republican candidate Brown is running against is Bernie Moreno, a 57-year-old Colombian-born former car dealer. It is regarded as a toss-up contest.

Impact Shorts

More Shorts

As Trump weaponises tariff, Fed sees a bigger worry: Not jobs, but rising prices in America

Despite a backdown deal, Trump deploys hundreds more National Guard troops in Washington DC

Brown has campaigned hard on abortion rights, after voters in 2022 cast ballots to ensure access to the procedure in the generally conservative state.

Also read:  What are the important dates in the 2024 US presidential race?

Pennsylvania

The Democratic incumbent, Bob Casey Jr., is seeking reelection in Pennsylvania, which is seen as the election’s key swing state.

According to the majority of polls, Casey is slightly ahead of Republican businessman David McCormick, who has spoken at a number of Trump rallies, including the one in Butler where a shooter attempted to assassinate the former president in July.

Casey’s seat is still considered in play.

Michigan

Democratic Senator Debbie Stabenow is retiring, meaning this is an open seat. His decision to retire after five terms has turned what was once a safe seat for Democrats into a pick-up opportunity for Republicans.

To maintain control of the seat, Democrats are looking to 48-year-old former CIA analyst Congresswoman Elissa Slotkin. She takes on former congressman Mike Rogers, a one-time FBI agent who chaired the House Intelligence Committee.

Slotkin leads in the most recent polls, although the difference is not statistically significant.

Wisconsin

In this key swing state, Democrat Tammy Baldwin, 62, is fighting for a third term in the Senate. In 2013, she became the first openly lesbian senator in history.

Baldwin has a slight lead over Republican rival Eric Hovde in most polls, according to Real Clear Polling, but that lead is largely within the margin of error.

Texas and Nebraska

Republicans are also defending a few hard-fought Senate seats, even though Democrats now hold the majority of the toss-up seats.

In Texas, Democrat Colin Allred, a former NFL star, is running against seasoned congressman and party mainstay Ted Cruz. It would be disastrous for the Republicans if Cruz lost.

Dan Osborn, an independent in Nebraska, is hoping to defeat incumbent Deb Fischer, a Republican who has been in the Senate for two terms.

House of Representatives

Republicans now hold a majority in the House of Representatives. Since House members are elected to two-year terms, all 435 seats are up for grabs. 218 seats are the magic number for control.

Democrats need to perform well in California and New York if they want to meet that hurdle.

The 2022 midterm elections in the Empire State saw a mini-red wave sweep through, costing Democrats five seats they will be hoping to reclaim this time around, but the contests remain close.

With inputs from AFP