Republicans Boost Odds of Keeping Senate Control

Democrats have hard path to reverse 51-49 Republican majority
GOP has only nine seats on ballot while Democrats defending 26

The U.S. Capitol stands at sunset in Washington, D.C., U.S., on Thursday, Feb. 8, 2018. A Senate vote on a bipartisan budget deal that would avert a government shutdown is being held up by a Kentucky Republican who objects to higher spending, raising the risk of a temporary lapse of federal funding if Congress cant act by a midnight deadline.Photographer: Andrew Harrer/Bloomberg

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By Laura Litvan

May 30, 2018 at 8:00 AM UTC

Updated on

May 30, 2018 at 6:05 PM UTC

This article is for subscribers only.

Republicans are maintaining an edge over Democrats in their quest to keep control of the U.S. Senate in November’s election, an outcome that hinges on about a dozen key races.

With just over five months to go before voters head to the polls, GOP Senate leaders say they’re buoyed by continued economic growth, an uptick in President Donald Trump’s lackluster approval ratings, and strong Republican primary winners. GOP Florida Governor Rick Scott is spending big in his effort to unseat three-term Democratic Senator Bill Nelson.