The Senate Races That Are Crucial for U.S. Foreign Policy

Our reporters offer some tips on the Senate seats that could have serious impact on Washington’s foreign policy world.

By , a diplomacy and national security reporter at Foreign Policy, and , a Pentagon and national security reporter at Foreign Policy.
U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham speaks to supporters during a campaign stop in Rock Hill, South Carolina, on Nov. 2. Graham is the chairman of the congressional panel that oversees State Department appropriations.
U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham speaks to supporters during a campaign stop in Rock Hill, South Carolina, on Nov. 2. Graham is the chairman of the congressional panel that oversees State Department appropriations.
U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham speaks to supporters during a campaign stop in Rock Hill, South Carolina, on Nov. 2. Graham is the chairman of the congressional panel that oversees State Department appropriations. Michael Ciaglo/Getty Images

The race for control for the U.S. Senate is much tighter than for control of the House of Representatives. Whichever party wins will have a razor-thin majority, according to projections. We’re not likely to have final results on election night.

The race for control for the U.S. Senate is much tighter than for control of the House of Representatives. Whichever party wins will have a razor-thin majority, according to projections. We’re not likely to have final results on election night.

Who controls the committees? The Democrats stand a good chance to lead key foreign-policy oversight committees, including the Senate’s armed services panel, where many members are in close campaigns. Republican Sens. Joni Ernst of Iowa, Thom Tillis of North Carolina, David Perdue of Georgia, and Martha McSally of Arizona are all in toss-up races. Democratic Sen. Gary Peters of Michigan faces a challenge from Republican businessman John James, who has run ahead of Trump in state opinion polls. Likely to lose his seat is Alabama Democratic Sen. Doug Jones, who also sits on the Armed Services Committee.

South Carolina: A potential game-changer could come in South Carolina, where the well-funded Democrat Jaime Harrison has consistently outraised Trump ally Sen. Lindsey Graham, the chairman of the congressional panel overseeing the State Department’s appropriations. Graham has been one of the Republican Party’s most dogged defenders of funding for U.S. diplomacy and aid amid repeated attempts by the Trump administration to make deep spending cuts.

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Robbie Gramer is a diplomacy and national security reporter at Foreign Policy. Twitter: @RobbieGramer

Jack Detsch is a Pentagon and national security reporter at Foreign Policy. Twitter: @JackDetsch

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