Democrats will need a nearly perfect performance in the November midterm elections to take control of the U.S. Senate, The Washington Post reported Friday.
In the midterms, Democrats are defending 26 seats, with 11 rated as “competitive.” Meanwhile, Republicans are defending 9 seats, with only 3 rated as “competitive,” the newspaper said.
Republicans now have a 51-49 majority in the Senate. Democrats would need to defeat at least two Republicans while protecting nearly all of the Senate Democrats that are running in states where Donald Trump won in 2016. Five of those Democrats are facing reelection in states where Trump won by double digits.
The Post ranked the top 10 most competitive seats in the midterm elections. Nevada is rated most likely to flip toward Democrats, with Republican Sen. Dean Heller seen as the most vulnerable in either party.
Sen. Joe Donnelly is rated the most vulnerable Democratic senator in Indiana, a Republican-trending state, the Post noted.
Democratic Sens. Claire McCaskill of Missouri and Heidi Heitkamp of North Dakota are also endangered.
Republicans are pegging McCaskill as out of touch, while Heitkamp is facing Rep. Kevin Cramer, a tested Republican official. However, Heitkamp has earned praise from Trump, who hosted her front and center for a bill signing in June, The Post reported.
Another Democratic senator in danger is Sen. Jon Tester, D-Mont., whom Trump has slammed for sinking Trump’s nominee to lead the Veteran Affairs Department.
Democrats almost certainly must win in Arizona to take the seat now held by retiring Sen. Jeff Flake, R-Ariz., The Post reported. Rep. Kyrsten Sinema is awaiting a primary to see whom she takes on: GOP establishment choice Rep. Martha McSally, or unabashed Trump supporters Kelli Ward and Joe Arpaio.
An Axios poll howed Democrats winning two Senate seats in the midterms—but losing three.
© 2025 Newsmax. All rights reserved.