With Senate matchups set, Democrats remain optimistic despite 'challenging map'
The fight for control of the narrowly divided Senate centers on two red states and a slew of presidential battlegrounds.
The Senate battlefield is set after Tuesday’s primaries, with both parties bracing for a close — and expensive — fight for control centered on a handful of key states.
After GOP Sen. Rick Scott and Democratic former Rep. Debbie Mucarsel-Powell advanced to the general election in red-leaning Florida, the key November races on the Senate map are officially set, most of them in Democratic-held territory.
Democrats are optimistic they can hold their narrow majority, buoyed by the fresh wave of enthusiasm Vice President Kamala Harris’ candidacy has provided and the strength of the brands incumbent senators have built in their home states. But Republicans still see a broader playing field tilted in their favor, betting voters’ partisan loyalties will overwhelm Democrats in must-win states that have trended toward the GOP.
Republicans need a net gain of just two seats for an outright majority or one if former President Donald Trump wins the White House, because the vice president casts tiebreaking votes in the Senate.
The GOP can effectively already count one in its column thanks to Democratic Sen. Joe Manchin’s decision not to run for re-election in heavily conservative West Virginia. And the GOP has two prime targets in states Trump easily carried four years ago: Sens. Jon Tester of Montana and Sherrod Brown of Ohio.
Rating: 5