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Cook Political Report shifts 14 midterm races, Dems gaining ground
USA Today • • nation
Key Points:
- The Cook Political Report updated its forecasts for 14 House and Senate races, shifting more than a dozen contests toward Democrats, indicating the party could achieve its largest House majority in over a decade.
- Democrats are now favored in over 220 House races, and if they win all those plus 18 toss-ups, they could secure a 240-seat majority, surpassing the 218 seats needed for control.
- Key districts such as Pennsylvania’s 1st, South Carolina’s 1st, and Colorado’s 5th have moved from "lean Republican" to toss-up, reflecting shifting voter dynamics in swing areas.
- Ohio’s 9th and Pennsylvania’s 8th Districts shifted from toss-up to "lean Democrat," significant as these areas have been bellwethers for Trump’s popularity among white blue-collar voters since 2016.
- The midterms are widely viewed as a referendum on former President Trump, whose approval ratings have declined amid ongoing challenges including the war in Iran and rising living costs.
