Sen. Bernie Sanders highlights key Senate races ahead of 2026 election

Senator Bernie Sanders, Independent of Vermont, spoke on CBS News' Face the Nation about the upcoming 2026 elections, emphasizing the importance of key Senate races in states like Florida and Minnesota. Sanders noted that despite Florida being likely Republican and Minnesota likely Democratic according to CBS numbers, he believes the races remain competitive and worthy of attention.

Sanders praised Democratic candidate Angie Nixon in Florida for her grassroots campaign and upset victory in the primary. He highlighted her focus on economic issues affecting working-class Americans, including struggles with food, gas, and rent costs, contrasting this with the growing wealth of billionaires like Elon Musk.

In addition to Florida and Minnesota, Sanders mentioned efforts in Maine and Michigan, including support for candidates Troy Jackson and Abdul El-Sayed. He stressed that the economic concerns he described resonate across multiple states, reflecting widespread frustration with economic inequality.

David Becker, CBS News election law contributor, also appeared on Face the Nation to discuss the election process, noting that results may take days in some states due to close races and logistical challenges such as remote voting in Alaska. He reassured viewers that election officials are working diligently and that bipartisan observers are monitoring the process to ensure transparency.

As voters prepare to head to the polls across all 50 states, these insights from Sanders and Becker provide context on the competitive nature of certain races and the expected timeline for election results.

What we're watching: The impact of grassroots campaigns on key Senate races and the pace of vote counting in close contests.