Democrats bail on Kentucky, pump money into long-shot Senate races in Georgia, South Dakota

Prospects for Democrats appear to be fading in several close Senate races, which could put Republicans on track to gain the six seats they need for a Senate majority. And now, just weeks shy of the midterm elections, Democrats are shifting their focus away from states like Kentucky — where Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell seems primed to prevail over struggling Democrat Alison Lundergan Grimes — and opening their wallets in more longshot states, including Georgia and South Dakota, The Wall Street Journal reports.

"The only way the Democrats hold the Senate is if they pull off surprises," Democratic political consultant Peter Fenn told WSJ.

The party pumped $1 million into the race for a GOP-held seat in Georgia, which has been slowly turning a bit more blue since May, and another $1 million to hold its own seat in South Dakota, where Republican nominee former Gov. Mike Rounds leads.

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