WASHINGTON – Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer is predicting that Democrats will maintain control of the Senate in the November elections and feels “encouraged and pleased” by the wave of enthusiasm for the vice president Kamala Harris on top of the party ticket.
Schumer, who played a key role in speaking privately with the president Joe Biden ahead of incumbent’s decision to end his re-election bid, appears more optimistic than Democrats as they face a difficult Senate map this election defending seats in states where the Republican candidate donald trump is popular.
“We are very excited about the prospects of winning the presidency, keeping the Senate and winning the House,” Schumer, D-N.Y., said in an interview with the Associated Press.
He said the contrast with Republicans, especially after the Trump questions Harris’ racial identity and his running mate JD Vance criticizing women without childrenIt’s been glaring.
“The best thing Donald Trump has done since winning the nomination is pick Vance — for the Democrats,” Schumer said of the Ohio senator.
What had been a bleak outlook for Senate Democrats has changed dramatically in the short time since Harris took over the party, sending a wave of enthusiasm, donors and volunteers to races for the Senate.
Republicans believe Harris’s “honeymoon” will soon end, reducing Democrats’ chances of keeping the Senate. Republicans are working portray the likely presidential candidate as a California liberal out of touch with voters.
“If you like San Francisco politics, you’ll love Kamala Harris,” Sen. Steve Daines, R-Mont., chairman of the National Republican Senatorial Committee, told the AP. Harris was a San Francisco district attorney and California attorney general before serving in the Senate.
What has become clear in the almost two weeks since Biden’s departure shook up the presidential ticket is that electoral disputes are recalibrating, adjusting to the new political reality. just three months before the election that will determine control of the presidency and Congress.
The Senate map favored Republicans this election cycle. Democrats, with a one-seat majority, have more seats to defend, especially in Montana, Ohio and other parts of the country where Trump is popular.
Democrats are almost certain to lose the West Virginia seat held by the retiring senator. Joe Manchinwho dropped out rather than face popular Republican Jim Justice.
Republicans would need to win just one more Democratic-held seat to regain control, assuming they can hold onto seats where GOP incumbents are favored — in Texas, where Sen. Ted Cruz faces Democratic Rep. Colin Allred, and in Florida, where Sen. Rick Scott faces Democrat Debbie Mucarsel-Powell, a former congresswoman.
Daines sees ample chances for Republicans to make gains in up to 10 states where seats are held by Democrats and the races are expected to be close, especially in Montana and Ohio, where Senators Jon Tester and Sherrod Brown, respectively, are the most threatened. Democrats. In Maryland, Republicans have recruited former governor Larry Hogan for a seat and he faces Democrat Angela Alsobrooks, who is vying to become one of the few black women to serve in the Senate.
“Democrats need to pitch a perfect game. We have to beat one of them,” Daines said. “I like our chances.”
Schumer believes Senate Democrats are holding firm as they implement the policies and legislation Biden has promoted, including investments in infrastructure and manufacturing centers, and as they face Republican challengers linked to Trump and Vance.
With Harris leading the ticket, Schumer sees the opportunity for Democrats to capitalize on the energy and enthusiasm as “people are kicking down doors” to volunteer for Senate campaigns.
Schumer said he wasn’t necessarily surprised by the energy surrounding Harris’ rise, but acknowledged that the turn of events happened very quickly.
Schumer visited Biden privately at the president’s beach house on a Saturday in mid-July after Democratic senators raised concerns in their private meeting with the president’s team following his debate performance against Trump.
Schumer said he felt compelled to speak directly with Biden and said the two had a “really good meeting” and hugged at the end. He praised the work they did together with Biden in the White House. A week later, on the following Sunday, Biden had abandoned the race.
