Election Day 2026: National races to watch

In the race for governor, Democrat Javier Becerra and Republican Steve Hilton are vying to succeed. Governor Gavin Newsom, Becerra is the former California Attorney General and U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary. He's campaigning on affordability and the need to address rising everyday expenses. Hilton, a former Fox News host, is promising lower taxes, cheaper gasoline, and a different direction for California. He is seeking to become the first Republican elected governor of California since Arnold Schwarzenegger. We're also watching quite a few national races that could really determine which party controls Congress. That's right, Rebecca Castor's live on Capitol Hill with some of the hot races to watch. Hi there, Rebecca. Hi, Roxia Sandra. Who walks these halls next year all comes down to today as both parties battle it out for the balance of power. Everybody has a say, so vote. As voters nationwide cast their ballots today, there are two especially hot Senate races to watch in Michigan and Alaska. In Alaska, Democrat Mary Peltola, who's running against Republican Dan Sullivan, is accused of working to get another Dan Sullivan on the ballot to confuse voters. Peltola denies the allegations. I am so deeply offended by these accusations. But the alleged scheme has frustrated many Alaskan voters. It tells me that the only way they think they can win is to cheat. There's also a showdown in Michigan. We won't back down. Democrat Abdul Al-Sayed is going head to head with Republican Mike Rogers. And in a stunning turn of events, Democratic Congresswoman Haley Stevens, who lost the Senate primary to Al-Sayed, endorsed his opponent just days before the election. This is bigger than our parties. At the end of it all, tonight's results are largely a judgment on President Trump's second term, his economy, and the unresolved war in Iran. He spent the last month barnstorming the country to energize voters and is optimistic Republicans will show up today. If our people vote, we win in a landslide. Democrats have already shared a detailed plan of things they'd like to do if they win control of Congress tonight. A top priority is using their war powers to force President Trump to withdraw troops from Iran. Araxi and Sandra, back to you. It's going to be a long night, Rebecca. That much I do know.