Republican Senators Risk Primary Challenges in 2026 as MAGA Movement Fights for Hegseth

At least half-a-dozen GOP senators up for re-election in two years have been threatened by Trump fans with primary challenges.

AP/Jacquelyn Martin
Congressman Matt Gaetz on Capitol Hill. AP/Jacquelyn Martin

Republican members of the Senate who are up for re-election in 2026 are already facing primary challenge threats as they weigh whether to back some of President-elect Trump’s cabinet picks. Questions around the viability of some of Trump’s national security nominees has Trump’s more populist supporters especially incensed that senators aren’t backing nominees who intend to crack skulls in the federal bureaucracy. 

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