Note the differentiation between the seats that represent GOP Holds and those that represent opportunities for Gains. Democrats currently control 53 seats in the Senate (including two independents who caucus with the Democrats), Republicans 47. If Republicans hold all the seats they have currently, they will need to gain four more seats to have a majority.
Links to GOP primary winners' websites are included so you can learn more about the candidates and donate, if you feel so inclined.
If you're interested in all polling on Senate races, check out Real Clear Politics Senate Polls.
| 10/20/12 Race for the U.S. Senate Ranked Roughly From Most to Least Likely GOP Win | |||
|---|---|---|---|
|
State |
Republican Candidate | Democrat/IND Candidate | Hold OR Gain |
| NE* | Debra Fischer | Bob Kerrey | GAIN |
| AZ* | Jeff Flake | Richard Carmona | HOLD |
| IN* | Richard Mourdock | Joe Donnelly | HOLD |
| WI* | Tommy Thompson | Tammy Baldwin | GAIN |
| NV | Dean Heller+ | Shelley Berkley | HOLD |
| ND* | Rick Berg | Heidi Heitcamp | GAIN |
| MT | Denny Rehberg | Jon Tester | GAIN |
| MA | Scott Brown+ | Elizabeth Warren | HOLD |
| VA* | George Allen | Tim Kaine | GAIN |
| OH | Josh Mandel | Sherrod Brown+ | GAIN |
| FL | Connie Mack | Bill Nelson+ | GAIN |
| MO | Todd Akin | Claire McCaskill+ | GAIN |
| MI | Pete Hoekstra | Debbie Stabenow+ | GAIN |
| CT* | Linda McMahon | Chris Murphy | GAIN |
| PA | Tom Smith | Bob Casey+ | GAIN |
| NM* | Heather Wilson | Martin Heinrich | GAIN |
| NJ | Joe Kyrillos | Bob Menendez+ | GAIN |
| HI* | Linda Lingle | Mazie Hirono | GAIN |
| ME* | Charles Summers | Angus King (Ind.) | HOLD |
| WV | John Raese | Joe Manchin+ | GAIN |
| WA | Michael Baumgartner | Maria Cantwell+ | GAIN |
| *Open Seat +Incumbent | |||
Smith and Linda M need to move up a couple slots for sure.