But if he decides not to run, GOP-leaning Nebraska will almost certainly elect a Republican in his place. We'll have to catch some breaks. While Republicans are holding onto the House of Representatives by their fingernails, the Senate had been considered safe in GOP hands. But in recent months, poll numbers in individual races have indicated that Democrats are within reach of a Senate majority. In the House, Democrats have a strong chance of winning control this fall.
Republicans govern that chamber with a slim five-vote majority.
The partisan balance in the Senate is more comfortable for Republicans, who have 55 members to the Democrats' 45. With only 14 Democrats running for re-election versus 19 Republican incumbents, the GOP starts the election season at a disadvantage. Even worse for the GOP, Democrats are fielding strong candidates against weak Republican incumbents in Michigan, Delaware, Missouri and Minnesota. Republican incumbents in Washington state, Montana, Pennsylvania, Vermont and Rhode Island are also vulnerable. The only Democratic incumbent considered vulnerable is Virginia's Charles Robb.