ICYMI: When is it too late to run for Senate? [Roll Call]

New reporting from Roll Call highlights that “there’s a surprising dearth of Republican candidates” while “Democrats are close to filling out their slate of Senate candidates” in key battleground states across the map. 

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT

Roll Call: When is it too late to run for Senate?

By Nathan L. Gonzales

May 11, 2023

Key points:

• Six months into this cycle, Republicans have some distinct candidate holes.
  
  
• Meanwhile, Democrats are close to filling out their slate of Senate candidates. They convinced nearly all of their vulnerable incumbents to seek reelection. That’s key, considering the party expanded its majority in 2022 on the backs of strong incumbents and their fundraising.
  
  
• The [Republican] party proved last cycle that it’s possible to fumble good opportunities, particularly with underwhelming candidates.

• Democrats’ path to retaining the majority relies on the strength of their incumbents, as it did in 2022. Their demonstrated electoral success and fundraising are critical, and delays in GOP candidates entering the race or competitive GOP primaries could allow Democratic incumbents to exploit those advantages once again.

• There’s a surprising dearth of Republican candidates in states that Joe Biden carried narrowly in 2020 and will be presidential battlegrounds again in 2024, including Arizona, Wisconsin, Michigan, Nevada and Pennsylvania. 

See also: Republicans Brace for “Ugly” Primaries as GOP Infighting Continues Escalating Across the Map; Raw Story: Republicans have a problem when it comes to their Senate races: report.

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