Several 2026 Senate races feature notable independent or third-party candidates on the general-election ballot alongside major-party nominees, including Dan Osborn in Nebraska, Seth Bodnar in Montana, Todd Achilles in Idaho, and Brian Bengs in South Dakota, where Democratic organizations declined to field or replaced nominees to back these contenders. Additional minor-party options such as Libertarians and Greens appear in states including Michigan, Arkansas, Colorado, and Texas. These candidacies, combined with late-cycle polling showing some independents in double digits or competitive with major-party frontrunners, shape expectations for third-place percentages. With the November 3 general election three weeks away, final voter turnout patterns, campaign spending, and any late shifts in support for minor candidates will determine which race produces the largest third-place share.