Staff Reports
The chairman of the Senate Republicans’ campaign arm has a smirk on his face as he confidently forecasts a GOP takeover of the Senate come November. Sen. Steve Daines, the man behind the National Republican Senatorial Committee, stopped short of throwing out exact figures but left no room for doubt about the impending Republican resurgence. With Democrats clinging to their razor-thin majority by a single seat, Daines has his sights set on tipping the scales.
Among the sitting ducks in Daines’ crosshairs is none other than Sen. Joe Manchin of West Virginia. Once a Democrat, now an independent, Manchin’s seat is prime for a Republican capture. Meanwhile, Senators Tim Kaine of Virginia and Jon Tester of Montana better watch their backs because Daines has marked their seats with a big, red target.
Daines, with a glint in his eye, suggests that the polls are missing the mark when it comes to GOP muscle. He argues that the silent majority of Trump supporters are underestimated. These are the voters who may skip out on midterms but make their presence thunderously felt when Trump appears on the ballot. Pollsters, take note.
Maryland and New Mexico aren’t safe bets for the Dems either. Daines mentions that Maryland’s Senate race between former Gov. Larry Hogan and Prince George County Executive Angela Alsobrooks and New Mexico’s faceoff between Sen. Martin Heinrich and Nella Domenici, are in play. It’s not just wishful thinking; Daines’ team dug through the numbers from 69 Senate races held during presidential election years. The stats don’t lie: the party that takes the White House usually sweeps the Senate races too. Maine in 2020 was a rare fluke when Biden won the state but Sen. Susan Collins held her ground.
In a strategic move, Daines is clearly banking on a repeat of history, but with a red wave to boot. Buckle up, because this November could be a game-changer.
