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Virus, Stalled Economy Raise Democratic Hopes to Take US Senate

Associated Press

   WASHINGTON - Steve Bullock was the lame-duck governor of solidly red
   Montana, fresh off a failed Democratic presidential bid, when he
   announced he'd challenge Republican Sen. Steve Daines for his seat.

   Days after declaring his candidacy last month, Montana's first
   coronavirus cases appeared. That shifted the spotlight onto Bullock as
   he leads the state's pandemic response, leaving Daines in the unusual
   position of a sitting senator competing for attention.

   "I look forward to when I can spend more time thinking about the
   campaign and doing that work," Bullock said last week. Right now, he
   said, he's making sure "lives are being saved."

   The coronavirus, the resulting economic shutdown and President Donald
   Trump's stumbles addressing the crises have abruptly scrambled this
   fall's battle for Senate control. Democrats have rising hopes of
   gaining the minimum three seats they'll need to capture a majority,
   while Republicans who once banked on a robust economy and improving
   Trump approval ratings are showing signs of nervousness.

   Old GOP assumptions about the political climate "are totally
   upside-down," said GOP pollster Neil Newhouse. "Republicans have to be
   prepared for an all-out battle, and it's going to be a challenge."

   Reasons for Democratic optimism

   Although much can change by Election Day, favorable signs for Democrats
   are evident.

   Self-described democratic socialist Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., ceded
   the Democratic presidential nomination to former Vice President Joe
   Biden, a relief to moderate Democratic candidates everywhere.

   Democrats outraised Republicans in nine of 12 higher-profile Senate
   races in this year's first quarter. Besides Bullock outperforming
   Daines, Democratic challengers raised more money than GOP Sens. Martha
   McSally of Arizona, Cory Gardner of Colorado, Susan Collins of Maine
   and Thom Tillis of North Carolina.

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