RNC Chair Predicts GOP Senate Wins Despite Polling Challenges

Republican National Committee Chair Joe Gruters said on Friday evening that he expects the GOP to win key United States Senate races in next week's midterm elections. The Hill reported that Gruters predicted Republican victories in battleground states including Alaska, Texas, Maine, and Ohio. He made the remarks to NewsNation's Blake Burman despite polling figures for the party. Nonpartisan election forecasting partner Decision Desk HQ currently shows those four state contests leaning narrowly toward Democrats. [1]

In Alaska, incumbent Republican Senator Dan S. Sullivan is facing a challenge from Democratic candidate Mary Peltola. Incumbent Sullivan and his allies accused Democrats of attempting to confuse voters by recruiting Dan J. Sullivan to run in the same race, BBC News reported. Peltola denied knowing about any scheme to place two candidates with the same name on the ballot. NPR reported that Alaska's governor ordered an official investigation into claims that Democrats recruited a spoiler candidate. [3][5][9]

The controversy in Alaska follows earlier reports from FTMQ Politics that President Donald Trump suggested Senate Republicans might refuse to seat Peltola if she wins. BBC News noted that the Trump administration is continuing a criminal investigation regarding the ballot issue. [3][12]

Following the general election on November 3, 2026, both Senate and House Republicans will hold internal leadership elections on November 10, Roll Call reported. The contests will determine if Republicans keep current Senate Majority Leader John Thune and Speaker Mike Johnson in top posts if Democrats secure majorities. Senate leadership elections are scheduled to begin on that Tuesday. [2][9]