I'm guessing this is an overestimation on their part. Democrats not only managed to win in 3 red senate seats in 2018, but also West Virginia of all places no less. There's also the fact that 2026 will likely be a midterm referendum election year and Trump won't be on the ballot to bail their sorry butts. Granted the elections will now be vs incumbents and open in cases like Ohio, and perhaps even Iowa if Grassley falls ill, but we'll have to see.
You're forgetting the major caveat - Trump was on the ballot in 2024. Also it was a presidential election year. 2026 is a midterm and we don't know how GOP turnout will fare with Trump no longer on future ballots for presidential years.
Unless they feel like we can't win back the senate anytime soon considering were pretty much out of red state senators.
Very well could be their calculus. We will see.
Would be a very risky move on their part.
I'm guessing this is an overestimation on their part. Democrats not only managed to win in 3 red senate seats in 2018, but also West Virginia of all places no less. There's also the fact that 2026 will likely be a midterm referendum election year and Trump won't be on the ballot to bail their sorry butts. Granted the elections will now be vs incumbents and open in cases like Ohio, and perhaps even Iowa if Grassley falls ill, but we'll have to see.
Winning WV, OH and MT in 2018 doesnтАЩt seem like much of an argument considering what happened to them in 2024.
You're forgetting the major caveat - Trump was on the ballot in 2024. Also it was a presidential election year. 2026 is a midterm and we don't know how GOP turnout will fare with Trump no longer on future ballots for presidential years.