GOP’s Plan to Widen Senate Control Stalls as Star Candidates Decline to Run

Republican hopes of bolstering their slim Senate majority in the 2026 midterms have dimmed with high-profile potential candidates like former Gov. Brian Kemp (Georgia) and Chris Sununu (New Hampshire) opting out of Senate bids. Meanwhile, internal party rifts emerge in places like Texas, where a Trump-aligned challenger targets incumbent Sen. John Cornyn. These struggles complicate the GOP’s strategy to maintain or expand its 52–48 hold. Observers say the party remains favored in some battleground states, but mounting primaries and missed recruiting opportunities could hinder what was once viewed as a near-lock for gains.