With just a few primary elections to go, the competitive Senate map keeps shifting
The US Senate remains a key battleground as Democrats attempt to flip seats during the current election cycle. Analysts are tracking competitive races, noting that economic frustration and presidential approval ratings are influencing voter sentiment.
Why it matters
The balance of power in the US Senate determines the legislative success of the executive branch and the confirmation of judicial appointments.
Months into the primaries, the question on everyone's mind is whether Democrats can flip the Senate. Many of the battlegrounds are set and a few are yet to be decided in primaries but the answer remains murky.
The math is simple: with President Trump in the White House and a Republican vice president holding the tie-breaking vote, Democrats need to flip four seats to take control. Republicans say they'll hold the majority, though they admit it could be narrow.
Given history and a less than favorable political environment for Republicans, the party is bracing for Democrats to pick up between one and three seats.
The fact remains that neither party has easily won Senate races in states that voted for the other party's presidential candidate. Still, Trump's low approval rating and the War with Iran combined with economic frustration across the country could change where things stand.
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