Cook Political Report shifts three Senate races toward Republicans
By Max Greenwood - 11/19/21 09:15 AM EST
The Cook Political Report is shifting three hotly contested 2022 Senate races toward the GOP and into the toss-up column, a move that suggests a more favorable environment for Republicans.
The Senate contests in Arizona, Georgia and Nevada once leaned toward Democrats. That changed on Friday, when the nonpartisan election handicapper reclassified them as toss-up races, meaning that they could go in either direction.
All three seats are currently held by Democratic incumbents, Sens. Mark Kelly (Ariz.), Raphael Warnock (Ga.) and Catherine Cortez Masto (Nev.). Republicans see those seats as their best pickup opportunities in 2022.
In Arizona, a crowded field of Republicans is vying for the nomination to challenge Kelly next year. While he remains among the best-funded Democratic Senate incumbents in the country, Kelly is still facing strong headwinds heading into his reelection bid, especially given Arizona’s relatively new status as a battleground.
The Republican nominating contests in Georgia and Nevada are still unsettled, as well. But the GOP has clear front-runners in both states.
In Georgia, former President Trump and Republican leaders have endorsed former NFL star Herschel Walker to take on Warnock next year. Likewise, Trump has endorsed Republican Adam Laxalt in the Nevada GOP Senate primary.
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https://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/582327-cook-political-report-shifts-three-senate-races-toward-republicans
