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Democrats Have No Hope in Battle for Senate Majority
Republicans say Dems ‘need to pitch a perfect game’ to keep GOP from taking over

By Lindsay Wise, Aug. 15, 2024, wsj.com

WASHINGTON—Heading into the Democratic National Convention next week, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer is making a bold prediction: Not only will Democrats hold on to their slim Senate majority, they might even expand it.

Schumer’s buoyant mood reflects the renewed hopes of his party after Vice President Kamala Harris replaced President Biden as the party’s 2024 nominee to face off against Republican Donald Trump. Harris has improved the Democratic ticket’s numbers in national polls and surveys of battleground states, bolstering hopes that the party can not only win the White House but also keep its precarious majority in the Senate, which it currently controls 51-49.

“We’re feeling great about our Senate races and about keeping the Senate—and even gaining a seat or two,” Schumer said in an interview before traveling to the Chicago party gathering. The Democratic ticket “is so strong, you’re feeling it in every part of the Democratic Party and every part of the country,” Schumer said.

Republicans scoff at the New York Democrat’s optimism, and election analysts see it as an uphill climb. Republicans are targeting more than a half dozen competitive seats to move to their column, while Democrats are only eyeing two long shots, giving the GOP a clear advantage. Which party controls the Senate will be critical to the next president’s agenda, including the White House’s ability to pass legislation and confirm cabinet officials, judges and other nominees.

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