Senate Control in the Balance: Key Races to Watch in 2024

The fight for Senate control is heating up as Democrats defend their slim majority in the upcoming elections. With a 51-49 seat majority, the Democrats are facing tough challenges in several key races that could determine the balance of power in the Senate.

One of the most closely watched races is in Montana, where Senator Jon Tester, a Democrat, is facing a tough battle for re-election in a state that overwhelmingly supported former President Donald Trump in the last election. Tester, a flat-topped farmer from Big Sandy, has defied the odds before, but this time he will be up against Tim Sheehy, a decorated former Navy SEAL and businessman with strong backing from the Republican Party.

In Ohio, Senator Sherrod Brown, another Democrat in a solidly Republican state, is facing a tough fight for re-election. Brown, a stalwart supporter of working-class voters, is up against Bernie Moreno, a candidate backed by Trump. The race is expected to be a toss-up, with both candidates vying for support in a state that has been trending red in recent years.

In Arizona, the retirement of Senator Kyrsten Sinema has set up a stark Senate race between Representative Ruben Gallego, a progressive, and Kari Lake, a former television news anchor and Trump supporter. The primary in Arizona is expected to be a toss-up, with both candidates vying for the open Senate seat in a state that narrowly supported Biden in the last election.

Other key races to watch include Michigan, where a range of Republican candidates are vying for the seat of retiring Senator Debbie Stabenow, and Nevada, where incumbent Democrat Jacky Rosen is facing a challenge from political newcomer Sam Brown. In Wisconsin, Senator Tammy Baldwin is facing a wealthy Republican challenger, Eric Hovde, while in Pennsylvania, Senator Bob Casey is up against David McCormick, a former hedge fund executive.

Overall, the battle for Senate control is shaping up to be a closely contested affair, with both parties fighting tooth and nail for every seat. The outcome of these key races could determine the balance of power in the Senate and have far-reaching implications for the future of the country.