Mitch McConnell has a whole new problem
Several Senators are up for reelection, and things are not exactly looking good for them. The Hill reported on ten seats most likely to flip in 2020, including two Democratic seats, Doug Jones (AL) and Gary Peters (MI). Jones was a bit of an enigma in a state where “president” Trump holds a 53% approval rating, and Gary Peters is merely on the Republicans’ “wish list.” The remaining seats up for grabs, however, can lead to a Democratic majority in the Senate if the candidates are successful.
Cory Gardner (CO), Martha McSally (AZ), Thom Tillis (NC), Joni Ernst (IA), Kelly Loeffler (GA), Susan Collins (ME) and Steve Daines (MT) are in jeopardy. Kansas has an open seat from Pat Roberts’ retirement, and the crowded Republican field will be thinned, with the winner facing Barbara Bollier, former Republican/current Democrat.
Colorado has become a Democratic stronghold. President Obama won it in 2008 and 2012, and Clinton carried the state in 2016. In addition, Democrats won and have held onto the state Senate and governor’s mansion, which has not happened since 1936. Making things worse for Gardner, John Hickenlooper threw his hat in the Senate ring following his departure from the Democratic primary. He is trouncing Gardner in the polls by 16 points. Similarly, McSally is taking a beating in Arizona from Mark Kelly, a retired astronaut and husband of Gabrielle Giffords, who leads McSally by 13 points. While Arizona is a Republican-leaning state, with Trump carrying it by a small margin, Biden’s team sees it as another swing state.
While it is impossible to cover all these races in one piece, we should look at Susan Collins, who is likely on her way out. Sara Gideon has a slim lead, but Maine overall has tired of Collins. Her approval rating is 37% with 52% disapproving. Another interesting race will happen in Georgia for the seat currently held by Kelly Loeffler. Appointed by Governor Brian Kemp to fill Johnny Isakson’s seat, Loeffler has little or no history in politics, and her stock trading during coronavirus has not exactly endeared her to constituents. Loeffler will be in what is called an “all-party election,” meaning she must defend against Republican Doug Collins and Democrats Reverend Raphael Warnock and Matt Liberman. Loeffler in currently in third place behind Collins and Warnock. In the “all-party election” system, if no one secures 50% of the vote, the top two go into a runoff in January. Democrats in Georgia believe they have a shot at the seat in a runoff. Georgia is another potential swing state for the 2020 election, as minority numbers have grown significantly over the past few years.
No matter how you look at it, the 2020 political landscape is looking interesting. If Democrats successfully elect Biden and the Senate turns blue, we can begin to counteract some of the bad judicial appointments that took place under McConnell and Trump, including the Supreme Court. There is nothing like a little hope to excite voters, and 2020 is turning into an election year that might just do that.
Shirley is a former entertainment writer and has worked in the legal field for over 25 years