This is how we know Republicans are terrified they'll lose the Senate

Key Points:

• The Senate Leadership Fund (SLF), a super PAC linked to Senate Majority Leader John Thune, announced plans to spend $342 million on TV ads to defend and expand the GOP Senate majority in the 2026 midterms.
• Nearly 70% of SLF’s ad spending targets GOP-held seats in states that Trump won decisively in 2024, signaling GOP vulnerability in traditionally red states like Ohio and North Carolina.
• Ohio, where Trump won by nearly 12 points in 2024, is the top focus with $79 million reserved, reflecting concerns about GOP Sen. Jon Husted's competitiveness against Democrat Sherrod Brown.
• North Carolina, with $71 million reserved, is another critical battleground as Democrats lead significantly in polls for the open seat left by retiring GOP Sen. Thom Tillis.
• Despite competitive races, SLF is not spending on Texas Senate ads amid a GOP primary runoff, and most funds are concentrated on defense rather than offensive campaigns, highlighting the GOP’s precarious position amid declining Trump popularity and economic challenges.