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Republicans once felt secure in the Senate. Now the battle is wide open

From PBS NewsHour · () English

Translated from English and summarized by DistantNews. Read the original for the full story.

At a glance

Newswire From a news agency Ongoing story
  • Democrats have expanded the Senate map as President Donald Trump's approval ratings and voter dissatisfaction with the economy create a difficult environment for Republicans.
  • Democrats need to gain four seats, but races in states they had expected to win, including Michigan and Maine, have also become less certain.
  • Senate control could shape Trump's legislative agenda and his ability to secure confirmation for administration nominees and judicial appointments.

Republicans entered the final two years of President Donald Trump's term looking confident about holding the Senate. With less than two months before Election Day, that confidence has given way to a wide-open fight.

Democrats are now competing in states that once appeared out of reach as Trump's approval ratings slip and voters express dissatisfaction with the economy. Yet the map has also become more difficult for Democrats. Races they had counted on winning, including contests in Michigan and Maine, have grown less certain.

The campaign is expected to cost more than $3.4 billion across all races. The stakes extend beyond control of the chamber. The Senate can confirm or block presidential nominees, including administration officials and judicial appointments, giving the result direct consequences for Trump's agenda during the remainder of his term.

I'm a realist. I don't ever try and sugarcoat things. I think it's a competitive environment right now.

· John ThuneThe Senate majority leader described the Republican position in an interview with South Dakota's KELOLAND News.

Republicans say it is unlikely that every factor will move in the Democrats' favor, but their leaders acknowledge the challenge. Senate Majority Leader John Thune told South Dakota's KELOLAND News that he worried about losing the chamber. "I'm a realist. I don't ever try and sugarcoat things. I think it's a competitive environment right now."

Democrats need a net gain of four seats. Their initial route involved holding Michigan, Georgia and New Hampshire while reclaiming Republican-held seats in Alaska, Maine, North Carolina and Ohio. Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer now says the party has additional paths, including Iowa and Texas. But Michigan Democrats remain divided after Abdul El-Sayed narrowly defeated moderate Representative Haley Stevens in a costly primary, while Republicans believe Mike Rogers has a stronger chance after losing his 2024 Senate race by fewer than 20,000 votes. In Maine, Democrat Graham Platner left the race after a sexual-assault allegation he denies, and delegates selected the lesser-known former state senator Troy Jackson. The Republican Senate Leadership Fund has committed $51 million to Michigan advertising, including $6 million added after El-Sayed's primary victory.

We now have multiple paths for the majority. We found new states, Iowa, Texas, which people a year ago weren't even paying attention to.

· Chuck SchumerThe Senate Democratic leader described the party's expanded route to a majority.
About this summary

Originally published by PBS NewsHour in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized automatically by DistantNews, with a note on how the source frames the story. Not individually reviewed before publishing. How this works.

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