The lowdown in fight for the U.S. Senate

Texas' brutal GOP race gives Democrats a sliver of hope, but the odds are slim.

- MARK Z. BARABAK COLUMNIST

DEMOCRATIC Senate hopeful James Talarico has drawn notice for a viral take-down of conservative pieties.

There's a reason for the fearsome redistricting fight raging across America.

It's about Democrats trying to rein in Donald Trump and his rogue-elephant regime.

Or, if you're the country's aspiring strongman, it's about avoiding accountability and sanction.

That's why Trump and fellow Republicans are trying to rig the midterm election, by gerrymandering congressional lines in hopes of boosting the GOP's chances of keeping its tenuous hold on the House past 2026.

California Democrats are seeking payback by redrawing the state's congressional lines in hopes of swiping five or more GOP-held seats. Voters will have their say on the matter Nov. 4, when they decide Proposition 50.

Of course, there are two branches of Congress. Why, then, is there so much focus on the House? Simply put, it's because of the steep odds Democrats face trying to win control of the Senate, which are somewhere between slim and none with slim last seen cinching his saddle before cantering out of town.

Let's take a moment for a quick refresher.

Every two years, all 435 House seats are on the ballot. Senate terms are staggered and run six years, so roughly a third of the chamber's 100 seats are up for a vote in each federal election. In 2026, there will be 35 Senate contests.

Most won't be remotely competitive.