Nine battleground states hold the key to control of Congress as Republicans defend majorities and Democrats eye Senate pickups in the 2026 midterms.

Democratic gubernatorial candidate Hannah Pingree tells NewsNation Maine voters are tuned out from election-season controversy and increasingly focused on the issues affecting their daily lives, including heating costs, health care and affordability.

Experts say it could take days and even weeks before winners are known in key states including Maine, Alaska, Arizona and California that could determine who controls Congress.

Senate polls show Democrats leading in Texas, Kansas, Ohio, Maine and Alaska, with Trump's approval at just 38% across the seven battlegrounds.

From Kansas and Texas to Michigan and Maine, CNN’s Manu Raju visited more than 10 states in the lead-up to the 2026 midterm elections, sitting down with — and sometimes chasing down — candidates in the country’s most pivotal races.

Charles called the more than $22,600 in fines imposed by the Maine Commission on Governmental Ethics and Election Practices ” nonsense.”