![[aggregator] downloaded image for imported item #63941](https://newsview.top/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/u.s.-capitol-jan.-12-2026-1024x576.jpg "Democrats build midterm momentum, but Republicans still in driver's seat in Senate majority battle")
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A leading nonpartisan political handicapper predicts that the Democrats’ path to winning back the Senate majority in this year’s midterm elections is getting wider thanks to a rough political climate for the GOP, but that capturing control of the chamber remains a “tall order.â€
The Cook Political Report on Monday shifted the ratings in four keySenate racesin favor of the Democrats, but added that Republicans “remain the narrowing favorites to retain the upper chamber.â€
Republicans currently control the Senate 53-47 but are battling stiff political headwinds, as the party in power in the nation’s capital traditionally loses seats in the midterms.The GOP faces a rough political climate fueled by economic concerns amid persistent inflation, as well as rising gas prices tied to what polls show is an unpopular war with Iran and PresidentDonald Trump‘s underwater approval ratings.
“Right now, we see the likeliest outcome is a one to three seat Democratic pickup — still just out of reach of the four seats the party needs to reclaim the majority,†Cook Report Senate and Governors Editor Jessica Taylor said in a release.
SNUBBED BY TRUMP, THESE GOP CANDIDATES ACT LIKE THEY HAVE HIS ENDORSEMENT ANYWAY
An exterior view of the Senate side of the U.S.Capitol on Jan.12, 2026.
TheCook Reportshifted the race to succeed retiring GOP Sen.Thom Tillis in battleground North Carolina from toss-up to lean Democrat.Former two-term Democratic Gov.Roy Cooper is facing off against former Republican National Committee Chair Michael Whatley in what will likely be one of the most expensive and competitive Senate showdowns in the nation this autumn.
Inbattleground Georgia,where Democratic Sen.Jon Ossoff is running for a second six-year term, the Cook Report also moved the race from toss-up to lean Democrat.Republicans view Ossoff as the most vulnerable Senate Democrat seeking re-election this year, but he has built a massive war chest while the GOP faces a three-way primary battle for its nomination.
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Inred-leaning Ohio, where appointed Republican Sen.Jon Husted will face off in November against former longtime Democratic Sen.Sherrod Brown, the Cook Report shifted their ranking from lean Republican to toss up, noting that “even recent GOP polling†has indicated the race is all knotted up.
The Cook Report also shifted Nebraska, a red state where GOP Sen.Pete Ricketts will face a general election challenge from independent candidate Dan Osborn, from solid Republican to likely Republican.
President Donald Trump is facing low polling numbers in the wake of the Iran conflict and rising gas prices.(Tasos Katopodis/Getty Images)
“We concede that these ratings changes are coming as Trumpis at a new polling lowand still navigating a yet-to-be-resolved war in Iran.So it’s possible things could rebound for his party or that they could find a rallying cry to get his base out in November — a summer Supreme Court retirement certainly wouldn’t hurt,†Taylor noted.
And she pointed out that “Democrats are still contending with messy primary fights in Maine, Michigan, Minnesota and Iowa, where Republicans are rooting for flawed or bruised nominees to emerge.And Republicans will have a significant institutional financial advantage.â€
![[aggregator] downloaded image for imported item #63972](https://newsview.top/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/sen-bill-cassidy-september-2025-1024x576.jpg "Snubbed by Trump, GOP candidates fighting for re-election act like they have his backing anyway")
![[aggregator] downloaded image for imported item #63969](https://newsview.top/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/francis-l-donovan-1024x576.jpeg "US military conducts more deadly strikes against vessels of alleged 'narco-terrorists'")