this was written in October during the Senate race but still reads like an engaging and informative piece
What the Senate looks like now
As of November 2, the senate looked slightly redder. Republicans hold 53 seats and Republicans hold 45. With the elections coming up, both parties are scrambling to gain an advantage in battleground states such as Texas, Montana, Arizona, and others.
Republicans are defending 23 seats while Democrats are defending 12. (more seats up for election means a higher risk of losing seats)
Republicans are defending seven seats in states with Democratic governors, while Democrats are defending three seats in states with Republican governors.
Runner ups
Here are the 36 states and candidates for a Senate seat:
Alabama
Doug Jones v. Tommy Tuberville
Alaska
Dan Sullivan v Al Gross
Arizona (special)*
Martha McSally v Mark Kelly
Arkansas
Tom Cotton is unopposed
Colorado
Cory Gardner v John Hickenlooper
Delaware
Christopher Coons v Lauren Witzke
Georgia (special)*
David Perdue v John Ossoff
Idaho
Jim Risch v Paulette Jordan
Illinois
Dick Durbin v Mark Curran
Iowa
Joni Ernst v Theresa Greenfeld
Kansas
Barbara Bollier v Roger Marshall
Kentucky
Mitch McConnell v Amy McGrath
Louisiana
Mary Landrieu running for a second term
Maine
Susan Collins v Sara Gideon
Massachusetts
Edward Markey v Kevin O’Connor
Michigan
Gary Peters v John James
Minnesota
Tina Smith v Jason Lewis
Mississippi
Cindy Hyde-Smith v Mike Epsy
Montana
Steve Daines v Steve Bullock
Nebraska
Ben Sasse v Chris Janicek
New Hampshire
Jeanne Shaheen v Corky Messner
New Jersey
Cory Booker v Rikin Mehta
New Mexico
Ben Ray Lujan v Mark Ronchetti
North Carolina
Thom Tillis v Cal Cunningham
Oklahoma
Jim Inhofe v Abby Broyles
Oregon
Jeff Merkley v Jo Rae Perkins
Rhode Island
John Reed v Allen Water
South Carolina
Lindsey Graham v Jaime Harrison
South Dakota
Mike Rounds v Dan Ahlers
Tennessee
Marquita Bradshaw v Bill Hagerty
Texas
John Cornyn v Mary Hegar
Virginia
Mark Warner v Daniel Gade
West Virginia
Shelley Moore Capito v Paula Jean
Wyoming
Merav Ben-David v Cynthia Lummis
Special Elections
Special elections are meant to fill a spot in the Senate after a governor has passed or retired. This year, Georgia and Arizona will both have special elections. In Georgia’s case, the current senator, Johnny Isakson, stepped down at the end of 2019 and the winner will serve for the remaining 2 years. In Arizona’s case, John McCain passed away August 25, 2018, and the spot was filled with former Senator Jon Kyl. Kyl renounced at the end of the year therefore, Representative Martha McSally was appointed and is now running for the new term.
Poll Predictions
According to Politico.com, these are the states with a very high chance of being Republican:
Arkansas
Idaho
Nebraska
Louisiana
Oklahoma
South Dakota
Tennessee
West Virginia
Wyoming
These are the states that are leaning to the right:
Alaska
Alabama
Georgia
Kansas
Kentucky
Mississippi
Texas
South Carolina
These are the ‘toss-up’ states or the unpredictable ones:
Iowa
Maine
Montana
North Carolina
These are the states leaning to the left:
Arizona
Colorado
Michigan
Minnesota
New Mexico
New Hampshire
These are the states with high chances of being Democrat:
Delaware
Illinois
Massachusetts
New Jersey
Oregon
Rhode Island
Virginia
The senate has the power to impeach government officials including presidents, approve or reject the president’s nomination, approve or reject treaties made by the president, and investigate the president. The amount of power the Senate has to keep the Executive branch in check makes the ruling party important so it is up to the American public to make their voices heard. Results for this election are expected Tuesday afternoon ranging from 3:00 pm to 7:00 pm. The elected Vice President also plays a role as a tie-breaker if there is a need for one. Even if there is no Senator race for California, it is of utmost importance to vote in these elections so I encourage you to get out there and vote.