Race for Senate Control is a Toss Up

Larry Sabato’s Crystal Ball says Republicans have roughly a 50-50 shot to gain the six seats they need to win control of the U.S. Senate in this year’s midterm elections.

“We now favor Republicans in four Democratic-held seats: Montana, South Dakota and West Virginia, as well as — in a ratings change — Arkansas, where Sen. Mark Pryor (D) appears to be at least a slight underdog to Rep. Tom Cotton (R) in a reddening state. Assuming Republicans can win those, they have roughly even odds to win in three other states where there are Democratic incumbents: Alaska, which we’ve long classified as a Toss-up, and Louisiana and North Carolina, which we’re switching back to Toss-ups after having them in that category for much of last year. It’s possible that the race for the Senate will come down to these three Toss-ups, with the party that wins at least two of the three controlling the Senate. And that doesn’t even mention the lower-tier races in lighter shades of Red and Blue that adorn the map below, most of which are currently held by Democrats.”

A Political Wire reader sends an interesting simulation based on Cook Political Report ratings that shows Republicans with a 47% chance to take control.