Fierce races to determine control of Congress

(The Center Square) – Even as states across the country introduce and pass legislation to reshape congressional districts to favor one political party over another, several states that have not enacted mid-decade redistricting expect fierce congressional races.

In these states, congressional campaigns will have a significant impact on the makeup of Congress as voters head to the polls in the coming months for primary and general elections.

All 435 seats in the U.S. House of Representatives are up for election in 2026. However, the Cook Political Report only ranks 18 races as true “toss ups,” which means either party has a good chance of winning.

Here are some of those races.

Iowa

Incumbent Republican Mariannette Miller-Meeks is seeking to hold onto her seat in Iowa’s first congressional district. Before serving in the U.S. House, Miller-Meeks represented Iowa’s state senate starting in 2019.

David Pautsch and Grant Hill are challenging Miller-Meeks’ in the GOP primary. Pautsch, the executive director ...