Democrats Need 4 Senate Seats to Take Control

Democrats need to gain at least four Senate seats in November’s midterm elections to take control of the U.S. Senate from Republicans. This shift is influenced by voter dissatisfaction with President Donald Trump, the Iran war, and rising prices, which have made several once-safe Republican states more competitive.

Currently, Republicans hold a 53-47 majority in the Senate. A Democratic takeover was considered unlikely at the start of the year, but the war on Iran has altered the political landscape, making several key races more unpredictable.

In Alaska, Republican Senator Dan Sullivan is running for re-election against Democratic former Representative Mary Peltola and an independent candidate with the same name. The race uses ranked-choice voting, and Trump has accused Democrats of attempting to confuse voters by using the same name.

Peltola has raised $33 million in October, compared to nearly $14 million for Sullivan. Republicans have also spent more on the race, with $42 million compared to $38 million by Democrats. Recent polls suggest Peltola is narrowly leading over Sullivan.

In Iowa, Republican Senator Joni Ernst’s decision not to seek re-election has created an open seat race between Republican Representative Ashley Hinson and Democratic state Representative Josh Turek. Hinson has called for an end to the Iran war, but she has voted against six resolutions seeking to end U.S. involvement in the conflict.

Turek has raised $20 million more than Hinson, but recent polls show Hinson with a narrow lead. The state’s agricultural economy has been hit by trade tariffs and rising fuel and fertilizer costs due to the Iran war.