Republicans' Senate Hopes Stung as Democrats Lead Multiple Races

The Republican Party's hopes of retaking the Senate in the November elections could be hampered as the Democrats lead races in numerous states, according to recent polls.

The Democrats hold a slim majority in the Senate, with 48 Democrats and two independents who caucus with them. Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, a Kentucky Republican, announced that he will step down from his position this year but retain his seat until the end of his term.

The GOP, which controls the House, is hoping to win Senate seats in swing states, including Arizona and Ohio, to regain control of the chamber and increase its overall political influence. However, according to a series of recent polls from Emerson College, their hopes may be dashed.

Newsweek reached out to the Republican National Committee via email for comment.

A poll of 1,000 voters between March 12 and 15 found that 44 percent of Arizona voters support Democratic candidate Ruben Gallego over the 40 percent who support MAGA-aligned Kari Lake, who previously ran for governor in the state. The poll had a margin of error of +/- 3 percentage points.

Meanwhile, a Michigan poll of 1,000 voters found that if the choice is between Democrat Elissa Slotkin and Republican Mike Rogers, 41 percent would support Slotkin while 39 percent would vote for Rogers.

When Slotkin was put against two other potential Republican candidates, Sandy Pensler and Peter Meijer, Slotkin also achieved a majority of votes. The poll was conducted between March 14 and 18 and had a margin of error of +/- 3 percentage points.

Another poll of 1,000 voters found that in Pennsylvania, in a potential matchup between incumbent Democratic Senator Bob Casey and Republican Dave McCormick, 45 percent support Casey while 41 percent support McCormick. This poll was conducted between March 10 and 13 and had a margin of error of +/- 3 percentage points.

Similar polls also show the Democrats leading in Wisconsin, Ohio and Nevada.

Other contests are predicted to be close, including the race between Ted Cruz and Democrat Colin Allred in Texas.

But with eight months to go until voters go to the polls, things could change. Other polls have suggested the Republicans will enjoy more success in November.

A Rasmussen Reports survey conducted among 1,001 likely voters from February 21 to 26 found a narrow advantage for Lake in the Arizona Senate race. Forty-five percent of respondents said they would vote for the Republican, and 42 percent said they were supporting Gallego. The poll had a margin of error of +/- 3 percentage points.