Republicans are increasingly worried they'll lose their U.S. Senate majority.
GOP strategists have been concerned for months about polling in U.S. House races, but private polls have been painting a dim picture for their chances for keeping control of the Senate, as well, reported Axios.
"A year ago, I would have told you we were almost guaranteed to win the Senate," said one GOP operative who's reviewed internal polling. "Today, I would have to tell you it's far less certain."
Republican operatives told Axios they've seen polling that shows surprisingly competitive races in conservatives states like Alaska, Iowa and Ohio, in addition to battleground states such as Michigan, Maine and North Carolina, and GOP strategists said the two issues that drove Trump's re-election win– immigration and the economy – have become liabilities.
"Sen. Tim Scott (R-SC), chair of the National Republican Senatorial Committee, delivered a sobering message about the party's headwinds," Axios reported. "A slide presentation indicated the party's toughest challenge, based on its national polling deficit, is in Maine, where Republican Sen. Susan Collins faces a tough path to reelection."
Republicans privately admit that Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) has recruited a good batch of candidates to challenge conservative incumbents, including Sherrod Brown in Ohio and Mary Peltola in Alaska, and they're concerned that GOP primary voters might pick candidates who can't win general election in other states.
"If incumbent Texas Sen. John Cornyn loses the upcoming GOP primary to state Attorney General Ken Paxton, polls suggest it could open the door to a Democrat winning Cornyn's seat in November," Axios reported. "The NRSC penned a memo this week arguing that Cornyn is 'the only Republican candidate' who can 'reliably win a general election matchup' against either Democratic state Rep. James Talarico or U.S. Rep Jasmine Crockett."
Meanwhile, Republicans have been unable to recruit strong candidates of their own, such as popular Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp, who opted against challenging vulnerable Sen. Jon Ossoff (D-GA).
"Kemp's decision not to run has left three lesser-known Republicans to fight for the GOP nomination — none with Kemp's fundraising chops," Axios reported. "Ossoff's has raised far more money than any GOP challenger and has over $25 million on hand. Whoever wins the bruising GOP primary will have to burn through cash before facing him."