Both Parties Pour Money Into a Broad Set of House Races for 2026

With about a month until Election Day, both parties are spending heavily across roughly 60 House districts that could determine control of the chamber. An NPR analysis finds more than 90 districts where resources are being committed, far beyond the initial list of competitive races. Republicans currently hold a narrow 218-214 majority, and Democrats are trying to expand the battlefield.

"Early ratings for the 2026 midterms identified 39 competitive House seats, 18 of them toss-ups. By October, that count had grown to 43 competitive districts, with 22 toss-ups, while party committees and outside groups were directing money into more than 90 seats. Republicans hold 218 seats to Democrats’ 214. Redistricting also changed lines for roughly one in ten registered voters, adding uncertainty in states such as Texas, Florida, California and North Carolina."

Second paragraph maybe: "National conditions differ from 2024: Trump’s strong disapproval is at a high, voters cite Iran, fuel costs, tariffs and immigration enforcement, and many incumbents retired or lost primaries. Some new maps may not perform as expected in areas like South Florida and the Texas border, including TX-28 and FL-25." Count words. First para: Early(1) ratings2 for3 the4 2026(5) midterms6 identified7 39(8) competitive9 House10 seats11, 18(12) of13 them14 toss-ups15. By16 October17, that18 count19 had20 grown21 to22 43(23) competitive24 districts25, with26 22(27) toss-ups28, while29 party30 committees31 and32 outside33 groups34 were35 directing36 money37 into38 more39 than40 90(41) seats42. Republicans43 hold44 218(45) seats46 to47 Democrats’48 214(49). Redistricting50 also51 changed52 lines53 for54 roughly55 one56 in57 ten58 registered59 voters60, adding61 uncertainty62 in63 states64 such65 as66 Texas67, Florida68, California69 and70 North71 Carolina72. That's 72. Second: National1 conditions2 di