The top 10 Senate races of 2016, ranked

The Washington Post ^ | May 2, 2015 | Aaron Blake and Chris Cillizza

[Clintonfatigued]

We are now four full months into the 2016 election cycle, and the battle for the Senate is starting to take shape.

Retirements in California, Florida, Indiana, Maryland and Nevada have set up open-seat contests -- though only two of them are considered top-tier races. And with Sens. John McCain (R-Ariz.) and Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) gearing up for reelection and saving Republicans major headaches in the process, we have a pretty good idea of where the battleground races will be.

The biggest question from here is recruiting. Republicans have big holes to fill in the two competitive open seats, in Florida and Nevada, where, despite weeks-old retirements, no major candidates have jumped in. The same goes in Colorado, a top pickup opportunity against Sen. Michael Bennet (D-Colo.) where the field has yet to really take shape.

Democrats have an early frontrunner in both of those open seats, though it's far too early to call them favorites in these swing states. At the same time, they still have a sizable recruiting hole in Pennsylvania and are likely to face a tough primary even if they land a candidate not named Joe Sestak. And in Illinois, Rep. Tammy Duckworth (D) is in and appeared to be clearing the field, but Rep. Robin Kelly is now looking at running too.

[Clintonfatigued]

It’s still early, so a lot can happen. But William Buckley had it right- we should nominate the most conservatives candidates who have a real chance of winning.

[goldstategop]

Prospects of that aren’t good as the GOP establishment will block conservative candidates from running.

[Cowboy Bob]

I wonder what impact a Hillary Clinton candidacy will have on the Senate races. Will the Democrat candidates for Senate embrace a corrupt Hillary, or run from her.

What about if the candidate is Sen. Bernie “the Socialist” Sanders?

[stephenjohnbanker]

” Prospects of that aren’t good as the GOP establishment will block conservative candidates from running.”

WINNER!!

[Lurkinanloomin]

McCain needs to go even if it means electing a real Democrat for 6 years. The Democrat in an R jersey has done more damage than any real Democrat.

[Verginius Rufus]

McCain wanting another term saves Republicans a headache?

I must be missing something.

[Lurkinanloomin]

McCain needs to go even if it means electing a real Democrat for 6 years. The Democrat in an R jersey has done more damage than any real Democrat.

[DoodleDawg]

I thought that the Sanoval in Nevada could take this race running away? Has he said he isn’t running?

[Paladin2]

We need to nominate candidates who promise to get rid of McConnell and Cornyn.

[Baynative]

Second that!

[grania]

I don't think the Republicans can keep the Senate, and wonder if they should. We'd be better of with a conservative Republican president, a conservative HOR, and the likes of John McCain,Kelly Ayotte and Lisa Murkowski GONE! Because of them and their four (or so) fellow travelers voting with the dems, we're doing worse with a majority in the US Senate.

A principled minority would do less damage than a corrupted majority is.

[Repeal The 17th]

2016 Senate Contest Summary
34 Senators who's terms expire in 2016 (10D and 24R)
Currently: 54 R vs. 46 D (includes 2 independents)

Party	State	Incumbent
Democrat	CA	Barbara Boxer (not running)
Democrat	CO	Michael Bennet
Democrat	CT	Richard Blumenthal
Democrat	HI	Brian Schatz
Democrat	MD	Barbara Mikulski
Democrat	NV	Harry Reid  (not running)
Democrat	NY	Chuck Schumer
Democrat	OR	Ron Wyden
Democrat	VT	Patrick Leahy
Democrat	WA	Patty Murray
Republican	AL	Richard Shelby
Republican	AK	Lisa Murkowski
Republican	AZ	John McCain
Republican	AR	John Boozman
Republican	FL	Marco Rubio
Republican	GA	Johnny Isakson
Republican	ID	Mike Crapo
Republican	IL	Mark Kirk
Republican	IN	Dan Coats
Republican	IA	Chuck Grassley
Republican	KS	Jerry Moran
Republican	KY	Rand Paul
Republican	LA	David Vitter
Republican	MS	Roy Blunt
Republican	NH	Kelly Ayotte
Republican	NC	Richard Burr
Republican	ND	John Hoeven
Republican	OH	Rob Portman
Republican	OK	James Lankford
Republican	PA	Pat Toomey
Republican	SC	Tim Scott
Republican	SD	John Thune
Republican	UT	Mike Lee
Republican	WI	Ron Johnson

 

[FreeAtlanta]

Georgians have the opportunity to knock RINO Isakson out in the primary!

[shalom aleichem]

The truncated version does not show the Ohio race of RINO Portman challenged by former Gov Ted Strickland. I believe the D will win due to Portman being totally ineffective and a sell-out to the D’s and GOPe.

He supports Gay marriage now that his kid came out of closet. He was one of the gutless who supported Loretta Lynch for AG. Just worthless...

BUT I hate to lose the seat. I wish someone would primary him.

[Oak Grove]

I shall never again vote for a rino.

Look at what McConnell and Boehner are doing to prop up Obama.

Disgusting.

I wish the Democrat had beaten McConnell last November!!!

[SharpRightTurn]

“McCain needs to go even if it means electing a real Democrat for 6 years. The Democrat in an R jersey has done more damage than any real Democrat.”

Juan disagrees. He believes 30 years of destruction is not enough, hence his try for a 6th 6 year term.

[Jim Noble]

I don’t have much hope for Kelly Ayotte (R-NH), and, truth be told, she doesn’t deserve to win.

[Night Hides Not]

Virtually everybody who has been in office in DC since 2000 or longer need to be voted out. They’re ALL part of the problem.

[Impy]

Sandoval hasn’t done anything yet AFAIK. If he enters the race, he wins.