The Hill: GOP Could Win Back Senate Next Year

Republican optimism is growing about next year’s Senate races, and for good reason. The Hill’s 2012 race ratings puts five seats now held by Democrats as toss-ups next year, and Republicans only need a net gain of three seats to regain a majority in the Senate.

Sen. Scott Brown, R-Mass.

The recent retirement announcements of three Democrats help. The seats held by those three — Kent Conrad of North Dakota, Jeff Bingaman of New Mexico and Jim Webb of Virginia are toss-ups, in The Hill’s view. And Democratic Sens. Jon Tester of Montana and Ben Nelson of Nebraska top the list of vulnerable incumbents.

Only two Republican incumbents are seen in toss-up races: Sens. Scott Brown of Massachusetts and John Ensign of Nevada.