GOP tries to save its Senate majority, with or without Trump

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell of Ky.,        (AP Photo/Susan Walsh, File)

WASHINGTON — Senate Republicans are fighting to save their majority, a final election push against the onslaught of challengers in states once off limits to Democrats but now hotbeds of a potential backlash to President Donald Trump and his allies on Capitol Hill.

Suddenly some of the nation’s better-known senators — Lindsey Graham in South Carolina, Susan Collins in Maine — faced strong reelection threats. Only two Democratic seats are being seriously contested, while at least 10 GOP-held seats are at risk.

“I don’t see how we hold it,” said Chip Felkel, a Republican strategist in South Carolina who opposes the president.

Felkel added: “You’d be hard pressed to admit we don’t have a Trump problem.”

Arizona could see two Democratic senators for the first time since last century if former astronaut Mark Kelly maintains his advantage over GOP Sen. Martha McSally for the seat held by the late Republican John McCain.

David Flaherty, a Colorado-based Republican pollster, said his surveys are showing that COVID will be “the most likely issue many voters will make their decisions on.”

“In more places in the country than not, the president is not getting good marks” on that, Flaherty said, and it’s damaging Senate GOP candidates, “especially those in lockstep with the president.”

Navy Vet

Article URL : https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/wireStory/correction-election-2020-senate-story-73972461?cid=referral_taboola_feed