Senate News & Analysis

What Katie McGinty Told Me About Her College Career

by Nathan L. Gonzales June 7, 2016 · 6:42 PM EDT

Republicans are criticizing one of the Democrats’ top recruits in one of the country’s most competitive Senate races for misstating her family’s college history. But Katie McGinty’s response lines up with what she told me in an interview four months ago.

McGinty is the Democratic nominee in Pennsylvania,…

2016 Senate Overview: Is This the Summer of Voters’ Discontent?

by Nathan L. Gonzales June 3, 2016 · 4:00 PM EDT

Nominating Donald Trump was supposed to precipitate the end of the Republican Party. But with five months before Election Day, the wealthy businessman is within striking distance of Hillary Clinton and most of the vulnerable GOP senators have paths to victory. 

As the Democratic presidential nominating contest comes to a…

2016 Senate Overview (June 3, 2016) Alabama - Kansas

June 3, 2016 · 3:59 PM EDT

ALABAMA – Richard Shelby (R) elected 1986 (50%), 1992 (65%), 1998 (63%), 2004 (68%), 2010 (65%). Shelby turned back a serious primary challenger, 65-28 percent, in March and is the prohibitive favorite in the general election. Safe GOP. 

ALASKA – Lisa Murkowski (R) appointed 2002, elected 2004 (49%), 2010 (39%…

2016 Senate Overview (June 3, 2016) Kentucky - New Mexico

June 3, 2016 · 3:58 PM EDT

KENTUCKY – Rand Paul (R) elected 2010 (56%). Paul dropped his run for president after the Iowa caucuses and is focused on running for re-election. He shouldn’t have a problem, considering Kentucky’s serious Republican lean in federal elections. But his presidential run gives Democrats an opening and their likely nominee,…

2016 Senate Overview (June 3, 2016) New York - Wyoming

June 3, 2016 · 3:57 PM EDT

NEW YORK – Chuck Schumer (D) elected 1998 (55%), 2004 (71%), 2010 (66%). June 28 primary. Schumer ($26 million on March 31) will win a fourth term. The only question is whether he will be the majority or minority leader in the next Senate. Safe for Democrats.

NORTH CAROLINA –…

Comparing the GOP Divides, 1964 and 2016

by Stuart Rothenberg May 24, 2016 · 9:00 AM EDT

With the GOP national convention still almost two months away and Donald Trump already wooing skeptical Republicans, it’s too early to know how divided the Republican Party will be in November. But minimizing that divide is critical to Trump’s prospects.

The party’s last serious fracture occurred in 1964, when…

Donald Trump is the GOP Nominee. Now What?

by Nathan L. Gonzales May 5, 2016 · 10:00 AM EDT

Donald Trump will be the Republican nominee for president in 2016.  

Looking back for the answer to “How did we get here?” and forward to handicapping the general election, one word stands out: assumptions.

There was an assumption that once voters were reminded of any number of ways…

How Trump Gives Republicans a Chance to Hold Senate

by Nathan L. Gonzales May 5, 2016 · 9:59 AM EDT

While it may have been unthinkable to say twelve, nine, or even six months ago, Republicans couldn’t afford to not nominate Donald Trump for president. 

After winning Indiana and Texas Sen. Ted Cruz dropping out, the wealthy businessman will secure a majority of delegates before the Republican National Convention…

Colorado Senate: Republicans Struggle to Keep Bennet in Play

May 5, 2016 · 9:58 AM EDT

The crowded GOP field to take on Democratic Sen. Michael Bennet narrowed recently from a dozen candidates to three contenders. 

Former El Paso County Commissioner Darryl Glenn was the only candidate to secure a position on the primary ballot at the state convention. It was a surprise boost of…

Illinois Senate: Kirk Downgraded to Lean Democratic

May 5, 2016 · 9:57 AM EDT

Nearly a year ago, we moved Republican Mark Kirk from Pure Toss-Up to Toss-Up/Tilt Democratic. Over the last 12 months, there is little evidence that things have gotten any better for the senator and in fact the political climate may be getting much worse, prompting another ratings change. 

The…