Democrats have always known they faced a difficult political climate to maintain a slim majority in the U.S. Senate this election year.
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Democrats have always known they faced a difficult political climate to maintain a slim majority in the U.S. Senate this election year.
The Maryland Senate seat, vacated by the retirement of longtime Democratic Sen. Ben Cardin, was not initially considered because voters had not chosen a Republican senator in more than 40 years.
But that changed when former Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan became the Republican candidate in the race against Prince George’s County Executive Angela Alsobrooks.
Democratic leaders suddenly had to consider how much money to spend on a race the party initially thought it could easily win.
Total donations to candidates totaled well over $80 million, making it the most expensive U.S. Senate race in state history.
Alzalbrooks emphasized the importance of the race from a national perspective, noting that Republicans could regain the majority in the U.S. Senate by flipping a few states, blunting the former governor’s popularity. I’m trying.
Hogan distanced himself from former President Donald Trump and vowed not to violate abortion rights in a state where registered Democrats far outnumber Republicans.
Political analysts say Mr. Hogan ran a solid campaign but has always faced an uphill battle in a state with very tough conditions.
Latest polls show her trailing behind Allsbrooks, who is forcing Democrats to devote significant resources to her campaign.
Democrats also face a number of challenges in other states as they seek to maintain their 51-49 majority.
The Senate rules Big Sky country.
Democrats were dealt a blow after Sen. Joe Manchin announced he would not seek re-election in West Virginia. At the same time, he left the Democratic Party and became an independent.
FILE – West Virginia Governor Jim Justice checks out the stage with his dog “Baby Dog” before the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee on July 16, 2024. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong, File)
Republican Gov. Jim Justice is currently the favorite to become the newest senator from deep-red West Virginia, flipping his seat to Republicans.
This means Democrats can only lose one more of the other 33 seats.
Republicans are increasingly confident that the seat could be one held by Democratic Sen. Jon Tester of Montana.
“Republicans should really be able to flip the Senate this year,” said Kyle Kondik, a member of the University of Virginia Sabbat with a crystal ball.
Kondik pointed out that nothing is guaranteed in politics, but Tester appears to be in trouble.
Montana is also a very red state, and Tester has bounced back from political odds for years.
But Tester is currently struggling to remain in office with Republican Tim Sheehy, a former Navy SEAL and businessman widely considered one of the most dangerous Democrats.
Polls show him trailing Mr. Sheehy, and Mr. Sabato’s crystal ball has turned the race from a “toss-up” to a “leaning Republican.”
The stakes are extremely high, with more than $240 million being spent on this election, or more than $300 for each registered voter in the state.
No other state spends more money per voter than Montana.
Other notable races
Republicans are hoping to do more than flip two seats, and Republican candidates have narrowed the vote margins in several other races.
In Pennsylvania, Democratic Sen. Bob Casey faces a stiff challenge from former Republican hedge fund manager Dave McCormick, who lost the Republican Senate nomination to Dr. Mehmet Oz two years ago.
This combination of photos taken in Pennsylvania includes Pennsylvania Democratic Sen. Bob Casey, left, at a campaign event on September 13, 2024, and Pennsylvania Senate Republicans at a campaign event on April 25, 2024. Candidate David McCormick is pictured. , 2024, Harrisburg. (AP photo)
Oz, a renowned surgeon, lost to Democrat John Fetterman.
Mr. McCormick has been gaining support in recent polls, and Mr. Casey recently began running ads saying he supported former President Donald Trump’s efforts to impose tariffs on China.
In another battleground state, Democratic Sen. Tammy Baldwin of Wisconsin also made sure to mention in her ads that she was instrumental in getting President Trump to sign the “Made in America” bill to support manufacturing. I didn’t hesitate.
Baldwin is running against Republican bank executive Eric Hovde.
Michigan’s Senate seat is vacant following the retirement of longtime Sen. Debbie Stabenow.
U.S. Rep. Elissa Slotkin is trying to hold on to her Democratic seat in another race that is expected to be close.
Republican Mike Rogers, a former Michigan congressman and former chairman of the House Intelligence Committee, is running against Slotkin.
“If Republicans get more than 51 seats, there is a significant upside potential,” Kondik said.
One bright spot for Democrats could be Texas, where the party has long sought to retake the Senate seat.
Republican Sen. Ted Cruz remains the favorite, but recent polls show Democratic Rep. Colin Allred closing in.
Orleid, a former NFL linebacker, was able to raise a lot of money.
But Democratic challenger Beto O’Rourke also had a strong fundraising campaign in 2018, and Cruz narrowly defeated him.
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