Republicans fight to hold on to the Senate as Democrats seek gains in traditionally red states

Control of the Senate is on the line Tuesday following a midterm election cycle with races marked by betrayal, alleged ballot shenanigans and President Donald Trump’s incessant swooning over the backside of one Republican candidate.

Close races are expected in several traditional battlegrounds — including Georgia, Michigan and North Carolina — but also in states that have become more reliably red since Trump’s rise in politics, such as Ohio and Iowa.

There are also closer-than-expected races brewing in even redder states such as Alaska, Kansas, South Carolina and Texas.

Underscoring the high stakes: More than $3.4 billion has been spent on television and digital advertisements in Senate races across the country, according to tracking firm AdImpact.

Republicans currently hold a 53-47 majority in the chamber, meaning Democrats would need a net gain of four seats to regain control.

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A Democratic takeover would require them to flip at least two states that Trump won by double digits in 2024.

The most likely targets are Texas, Ohio, Iowa, Alaska, Kansas and South Carolina. More than 50% of voters in each of those states disapprove of how Trump is handling his job, according to early results from the…

Original source: https://www.nbcnews.com/business