Republicans are working overtime to defend their slim majorities in Congress, with outside groups planning to spend more money than ever to secure crucial victories in the 2026 midterm elections.
The Senate Leadership Fund, the main fundraising super PAC for Senate Republicans, unveiled its $342 million battle plan on Monday, targeting eight Senate races that could be essential to defending their power in Washington. It’s the largest investment the group has ever made, according to officials, and it includes aggressive spending against three Democratic-held seats.
“Thanks to the tremendous successes of Senate Republicans and Majority Leader John Thune, Senate Leadership Fund is better positioned than ever to execute an aggressive offensive strategy to protect and expand the Republican Senate Majority,” SLF Executive Director Alex Latcham said in a statement. “SLF’s historic investment will help elect strong Republican Senators across key battleground states and ensure that Chuck Schumer and his party remain in the minority.”
The group will spend the most money in the Ohio Senate race, dedicating a whopping $79 million to the Buckeye State. The investment comes as Sen. Jon Husted, R-Ohio, faces a challenge from former Sen. Sherrod Brown, who was ousted in 2024 after losing to Bernie Moreno.
Recent polling shows the race in a statistical tie, and it’s expected to become one of the most expensive Senate races this cycle.
SLF is also dropping $71 million in the North Carolina race, which has become more competitive after Sen. Thom Tillis announced he wouldn’t run for another term, giving Democrats an opportunity to flip a crucial seat. Former Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Whatley is running against former Gov. Roy Cooper, with most polling showing the latter ahead.
The group will allocate money to three other Republican incumbents’ races, including $42 million for Susan Collins in Maine; $29 million for the open seat in Iowa being vacated by Sen. Joni Ernst; and $15 million toward Dan Sullivan’s reelection in Alaska.
SLF will also seek to go on the offensive to try to flip three Democratic-held seats, dedicating $45 million in Michigan and $44 million in Georgia, both of which are deemed toss-up races in November. The group will invest another $17 million in New Hampshire.
As part of the investment, SLF will dedicate funds to go toward advertising on streaming platforms — so far planning reservations that are 66% larger than its entire digital investment in 2024, according to the group. The money will also go toward television and digital ads as well as mailers and other get out the vote opportunities.
On the other hand, Senate Democrats said the hefty investments are evidence that Republicans are fearful of losing their majority come next January.
“This announcement is a sign Republicans are nervous, plain and simple,” Lauren French, spokesperson for Senate Majority PAC, the campaign arm for Senate Democrats, said in a statement. “Their battleground map has increased substantially and we’re seeing the tell-tale signs of weakness with bad candidates, uninspiring messaging, and an approval rating in the pits. We are seeing support that has only been ramping up since November and as we get closer to the primaries, it’s clear Democrats have something Republicans are trying to buy: momentum.”
Republicans currently hold 53 seats in the Senate with Vice President JD Vance as a tiebreaker vote if needed. That means Democrats would need to flip four seats, or more if any Democratic-held seats are won by Republicans, in order to win the majority next year.
