15 days out: GOP solidifies its tentative grip on the Senate
by Pete Kasperowicz
| October 22, 2018 02:21 PM
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Republicans appear to be shoring up their hold on the Senate with just over two weeks to go before the midterm elections.
Late last week, election watchers put North Dakota's Senate race in the "lean Republican" category, giving the GOP an extra boost that should make it easier for it to keep control of the Senate.
The shift against Sen. Heidi Heitkamp, D-N.D., came just days after her campaign apologized for outing women who are victims of sexual assault. But it was always a close race, and many predicted Rep. Kevin Cramer, R-N.D., was in a good position to win her seat.
The race shift has a big impact on expectations for Election Day. Republicans now hold 51 seats, and now seem likely to pick up a seat or two on Election Day.
"Today, a Republican net gain of a seat or two seems most likely, moving the GOP up to either 52 or 53 seats, though a gain of three seats or no net change are entirely possible," Charlie Cook of the Cook Political Report late last week.
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