WASHINGTON — Democrats are looking beyond their traditional Senate battlegrounds as polling suggests competitive races may be emerging in Republican-leaning states, but party campaign groups say their budgets may not stretch far enough to capitalize on every opportunity before the 2026 midterm elections. The states drawing attention include Kansas, Florida, South Carolina and Mississippi. Texas, once treated by some Democrats as a less immediate target, has also come into play, prompting the party’s main campaign groups to begin spending there. Outside groups have increased late-stage investments in other states as well. That broader map presents a difficult choice: whether to put more money into newly competitive races or reserve resources to protect the contests Democrats already consider central to their effort. Party groups say they cannot make major investments across the expanded field while also fully defending the core battlegrounds. Scott Colom, the Democratic Senate nominee in Mississippi, argued that the state deserves more attention. He said polling indicates Democrats can win if voters hear their message, and described Mississippi as relatively inexpensive for advertising. The state, he said, has been overlooked for too long. The reported polling signals suggest opportunities, not guaranteed victories; no specific survey figures were cited. With the midterms approaching, Democrats’ ability to turn those apparent openings into sustained campaigns may depend on how they allocate limited money in the closing weeks.