Republicans close in on Senate majority
It's not a done deal yet, but Republicans are getting closer to the magic number of 51 seats that they'll need to win a majority in the Senate.
Going into this election with 45 seats, Republicans have so far already picked up three from the Democrats: Arkansas, South Dakota, and West Virginia. They are also expected to very easily pick up the open Democratic seat in Montana, which will bring them to a total of 49 seats.
So where can they find the extra two seats? In quite a few places, actually: In Colorado, Rep. Cory Gardner is running ahead of Democratic Sen. Mark Udall; the polls have not yet closed in Iowa or Alaska, which are both heavily targeted. Simply winning two out of these three seats, with no losses elsewhere, would get them to a majority.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
In addition, the GOP is now running ahead in their two remaining vulnerable states, Georgia and Kansas, though many votes are still not yet reported for those races.
Also, Democratic Sens. Kay Hagan of North Carolina and Mark Warner of Virginia are running in very tight races in their respective states — a very surprising result in Warner's case, who was expected for much of this cycle to coast to an easy win.
And the state of Louisiana, meanwhile, will go to a December runoff election, between Democratic Sen. Mary Landrieu and Republican Rep. Bill Cassidy, with Landrieu very much the underdog in this red state.
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
'Voters know Biden and Trump all too well'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Harold Maass, The Week US Published
-
Is the Gaza war tearing US university campuses apart?
Today's Big Question Protests at Columbia University, other institutions, pit free speech against student safety
By Joel Mathis, The Week US Published
-
DOJ settles with Nassar victims for $138M
Speed Read The settlement includes 139 sexual abuse victims of the former USA Gymnastics doctor
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
Ukraine cheers House approval of military aid
Speed Read Following a lengthy struggle, the House has approved $95 billion in aid for Ukraine and Israel
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Poland, Germany nab alleged anti-Ukraine spies
Speed Read A man was arrested over a supposed Russian plot to kill Ukrainian President Zelenskyy
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Israel hits Iran with retaliatory airstrike
Speed Read The attack comes after Iran's drone and missile barrage last weekend
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Peter Murrell: Sturgeon's husband charged over SNP 'embezzlement' claims
Speed Read SNP expresses 'shock' as former chief executive rearrested in long-running investigation into claims of mishandled campaign funds
By Arion McNicoll, The Week UK Published
-
Mark Menzies: Tories investigate MP after 'bad people' cash claims
Speed Read Fylde MP will sit as an independent while party looks into allegations he misused campaign funds on medical expenses and blackmail pay-out
By Arion McNicoll, The Week UK Published
-
Why Johnson won't just pass Ukraine aid
Speed Read The House Speaker could have sent $60 billion in military aid to Ukraine — but it would have split his caucus
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Sudan on brink of collapse after a year of war
Speed Read 18 million people face famine as the country continues its bloody downward spiral
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Trump's first criminal trial starts with jury picks
Speed Read The former president faces charges related to hush money payments made to adult film star Stormy Daniels
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published