Arizona, Pennsylvania, Ohio, and other states with important midterm races: Why do they matter?

Here are the most important Senate and governor races across the nation in November's midterm elections, and why Arizona, Pennsylvania, Georgia, Ohio and Wisconsin matter so much this cycle

For Republican leaders, such as former President Donald Trump, the midterm elections are important because candidates who received his endorsement in crowded primaries will be put to the test. As for President Joe Biden, his stagnating poll numbers may hurt Democrats in crucial swing states that he previously won in 2020, resulting in a Republican majority likely to oppose his legislative agenda.  Arizona Secretary of State and Democratic gubernatorial candidate Katie Hobbs is trailing behind her opponent Kari Lake in the general election.  ((Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images)) Former news anchor Kari Lake received former President Donald Trump's endorsement during the Republican primary.  (Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images) In the last few weeks, Democratic Arizona Sen. Mark Kelly has lost his commanding lead over Republican Senate nominee Blake Masters.  (Photo by Brandon Bell/Getty Images) GOP Senate candiate Herschel Walker and Democratic Senator Raphael Warnock are in a tight race that could determine which party will control the Senate.  (Getty Images) Georgia Democratic gubernatorial nominee Stacey Abrams and incumbent Republican Georgia Governor Brian Kemp are headed towards a rematch for the Governor's mansion in November.  (Dustin Chambers/Bloomberg, Nathan Posner/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)

On November 8, 35 Senate seats will be up for votes, with 14 seats filled with Democratic incumbents and 21 held by Republican senators. Meanwhile, 36 states will hold gubernatorial elections.