For the first time this cycle, the generic ballot has swung in the Republicans’ favor, according to a Reuters poll released this week. The timing couldn’t be better for Republicans as we approach five months until the November midterms. The poll, coupled with other news from the week, prompted CNN to run the headline, “Beating Republicans in November Will Be Harder Than Democrats Thought.”
On the Senate front, Sen. Bill Nelson (D-FL), facing an onslaught of ad spending from GOP rival Gov. Rick Scott, got a boost from Senate Majority PAC in the form of a $2.2 million ad buy. And in New Jersey, Sen. Bob Menendez’s (D-NJ) reelection hopes are looking grim. A new poll showed him leading his GOP opponent, Bob Hugin, but just 4 percent points in the deep-blue state.
On the House front, Roll Call moved 19 House race ratings to more favorable ratings for Democrats, while the Cook Political Report moved four House races toward the GOP’s favor. Primaries in Arkansas, Georgia, and Kentucky, along with runoff elections in Texas, helped clarify what those races will look like in the fall.