(DCNF)—Senate Republicans are crafting an ambitious strategy to expand their 53-seat majority during the 2026 midterms.
Though midterms historically have favored the party not in the White House, Republican South Carolina Sen. Tim Scott, who is leading the Senate GOP’s campaign arm during the 2026 cycle, laid out a roadmap to grow the party’s ranks to 55 members during the National Republican Senatorial Committee’s (NRSC) weekend retreat in Florida, according to Punchbowl News.
Scott is reportedly focused on defending GOP incumbents in Maine, North Carolina and Ohio and going on offense to flip two Democratic-held seats in swing states President Donald Trump won in 2024: Michigan and Georgia.
If Scott is able to defend every GOP incumbent and flip two senate seats, Senate Republicans would have their largest majority since former President George W. Bush’s second term. The Senate GOP’s campaign arm is also reportedly eyeing Democratic Sens. Mark Warner of Virginia, Ben Ray Lújan of New Mexico and Tina Smith of Minnesota as potential targets.
The NRSC is likely to invest heavily in the five following races to defend potentially vulnerable incumbents and expand the GOP’s senate majority.
Democratic Georgia Sen. Jon Ossoff
Democratic Georgia Sen. Jon Ossoff is one of the NRSC’s top targets during the upcoming midterms and would likely be vulnerable to a strong Republican challenger.
Two-term Republican Georgia Governor Brian Kemp, who has an approval rating north of 60%, is seen as an obvious choice to challenge Ossoff. Kemp leads Ossoff 46% to 40% in a hypothetical matchup with 14% undecided, according to a January Club for Growth poll shared with the Daily Caller News Foundation.
Republican Georgia Reps. Buddy Carter, Mike Collins and Rich McCormick could also get into the race.
Despite running in a swing-state President Donald Trump won, Ossoff has largely refrained from voting for the president’s cabinet nominees, according to a DCNF review of senators’ roll call votes.
Ossoff has voted for just two of Trump’s nominees — Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Central Intelligence Agency Director John Ratcliffe — and skipped votes on Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Lee Zeldin, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy and Department of Interior Secretary Doug Burgum.
Though Ossoff voted for the Laken Riley Act, a bill intended to crack down on illegal immigration, he joined with his Democratic colleagues to block legislation sanctioning International Criminal Court officials for seeking to arrest Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Ossoff also cast two procedural votes last December that would have restricted certain weapon sales to Israel.
Ossoff narrowly won his first Senate election in the state by just 55,000 votes during a runoff against former Republican Georgia Sen. David Perdue in January 2021.
The Democratic incumbent’s campaign has nearly $5 million on hand, according to FEC data.
Retiring Democratic Michigan Sen. Gary Peters
Two-term Democratic Michigan Sen. Gary Peters’ announcement that he would not seek reelection on Jan. 28 gave the NRSC a boost to flip the open seat to add to the Senate GOP’s majority.
Though Senate Republicans failed to secure the state’s open seat last November with Democratic Michigan Sen. Elissa Slotkin narrowly defeating GOP candidate Mike Rogers, Trump’s strong electoral performance in the state could give Republicans optimism that 2026 will yield better results.
Rogers, a former Republican congressman who served in the House from 2001 to 2015 and secured Trump’s endorsement during his 2024 senatorial run, told Fox News on Jan. 30 that he is considering a run for the open seat.
Rogers’ campaign committee ended 2024 with nearly $2 million on hand, according to FEC data.
Former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg is one of many potential Democratic candidates considering jumping into the race, according to multiple reports, though he could face carpetbagger allegations due to relocating to the state less than three years ago.
Republican Maine Sen. Susan Collins
Republican Maine Sen. Susan Collins, generally seen as the most moderate member of the Republican conference, could be the most endangered Republican incumbent heading into the 2026 cycle. Former Vice President Kamala Harris defeated Trump in the state by nearly seven percentage points.
Collins, chair of the powerful Senate Appropriations Committee, announced she intends to run for a sixth Senate term last November. Her campaign has more than $2.5 million in the bank, according to FEC disclosure data. The NRSC is likely to invest heavily in the race.
Two-term Democratic Maine Governor Janet Mills, who Collins’ team has acknowledged would be a formidable candidate, has not ruled out challenging Collins for the seat.
Collins, who represents a reliably blue state at the presidential level, has been willing to cross Trump in the past. She has voted for every Trump cabinet nominee so far except Department of Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth.
Collins defied electoral odds in 2020 by winning her contest by nearly 10 percentage points despite former President Joe Biden winning Maine by roughly 7%. Every poll listed by the RealClearPolitics aggregate during the final weeks of the race between Collins and her Democratic challenger Sarah Gideon showed the Republican incumbent heading for a decisive loss.
Republican North Carolina Sen. Thom Tillis
The Senate GOP’s campaign arm is also likely to invest heavily to defend Republican North Carolina Sen. Thom Tillis from a potentially competitive primary and general election contest.
Former Democratic North Carolina Roy Cooper has not ruled out challenging Tillis in what would likely be a competitive general election. Cooper notably won gubernatorial elections in 2016 and 2020 despite Trump being at the top of the presidential ticket and winning the state both cycles.
Tillis has voted for all of Trump’s cabinet nominees thus far despite reportedly wavering on Hegseth’s nomination in the final hours before the confirmation vote. The senator introduced Trump’s FBI nominee Kash Patel during his confirmation hearing before the Senate Judiciary Committee.
Tillis’ campaign has more than $2 million on hand, according to FEC disclosures.
GOP Hold: Republican Ohio Sen. Jon Husted
The NRSC will also have to defend newly-sworn in Republican Ohio Sen. Jon Husted during a special election set for November 2026.
Husted has to run in a special election during the 2026 midterms in order to serve out the remainder of Vice President JD Vance’s senate term. Husted must also seek reelection in 2028 to seek another term in the Senate.
Though Trump trounced Harris in Ohio last November by more than 11 percentage points, Republican Ohio Sen. Bernie Moreno’s victory over former Democratic Ohio Sen. Sherrod Brown was decided by just 200,000 votes.
Brown has not ruled out challenging Husted or running in Ohio’s gubernatorial contest set for 2026.
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How to Prepare for Food Emergencies if You Don’t Have a Homestead or Bunker
In an unpredictable world, where supply chain disruptions, natural disasters, or economic instability can strike without warning, having a reliable food supply is more than just smart—it’s essential for survival. Whether you’re a “prepper” or not, we all know the golden rule: self-sufficiency is key. But what if you’re living in an apartment, working long hours, or simply don’t have the land to turn into a thriving homestead? Don’t worry; there’s a practical, effective way to build your food security without needing acres of soil or a fortified bunker.
The Ideal Prep: Building Your Own Food Empire
The ultimate dream for any serious prepper is controlling your own food production. Imagine waking up to a sprawling garden bursting with fresh vegetables, fruits, and herbs—tomatoes ripening on the vine, potatoes ready to harvest, and greens that provide nutrition year-round. Add in livestock like chickens for eggs and meat, and you’ve got a self-sustaining system that keeps your family fed no matter what chaos unfolds outside.
This approach isn’t just about calories; it’s about resilience. A well-maintained garden can yield hundreds of pounds of produce annually, while a small flock of chickens might produce dozens of eggs weekly. It’s empowering, cost-effective in the long run, and teaches invaluable skills like crop rotation, animal husbandry, and preservation techniques. If you have the space, time, and resources, starting small and scaling up is the best path to true independence.
The Reality Check: Not Everyone Can Homestead
But let’s face it—not all of us are in a position to go full homesteader. Urban dwellers might be limited to a balcony or community plot that’s far from sufficient for long-term needs. Busy professionals juggling jobs, families, and daily life often lack the hours required for daily tending. And for those in apartments, condos, or regions with harsh climates, raising livestock or maintaining a large garden simply isn’t feasible. Factors like zoning laws, soil quality, water access, or even physical limitations can make this ideal out of reach.
That’s where the frustration sets in. You want to be prepared, but without a homestead or bunker, how do you ensure your pantry doesn’t run dry during a prolonged crisis? The good news is, you don’t have to sacrifice your preparedness goals. There’s a smart, accessible alternative that bridges the gap: investing in high-quality, long-term storage food.
The Smart Alternative: Long-Term Storage Food from Heaven’s Harvest
Long-term storage food is designed for exactly these scenarios—providing nutrient-dense, shelf-stable meals that last for decades without refrigeration or special conditions. It’s the perfect solution for preppers who can’t rely on fresh production but still demand reliability and variety in their emergency stockpile.
At Heaven’s Harvest, they specialize in premium survival food kits that make preparedness effortless. Their products are crafted with the prepper mindset in mind: non-GMO, made in the USA, and packed with real ingredients that taste like home-cooked meals, not bland rations. Whether you’re stocking up for a short-term blackout or a long-haul SHTF event, our kits offer:
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Unlike generic store-bought cans that spoil quickly or lack variety, Heaven’s Harvest focuses on quality and sustainability. Our food is freeze-dried or dehydrated to lock in flavor and nutrients, ensuring you’re not just surviving but thriving. And for those concerned about allergens or dietary preferences, we offer gluten-free and vegetarian options to keep everyone covered.
Why Wait? Secure Your Food Supply Today
Preparing for food emergencies doesn’t require a homestead or bunker—it requires action. By choosing long-term storage food from Heaven’s Harvest, you’re taking control in a way that fits your lifestyle. Start small with a 72-hour kit to test the waters, or go all-in with a year’s supply for ultimate security.
Visit Heaven’s Harvest today and use code “PATRIOT” for an exclusive discount on your order. Don’t let limitations hold you back; build your resilient future, one meal at a time. Your family will thank you when it matters most.
