Many Republican voters are still reeling over the disappointment that was the 2022 Midterms.
But there’s a reason for hope in 2024.
And now this new America First candidate is entering one swing state race and his candidacy is making Chuck Schumer a nervous wreck.
A new and improved Senate map
While many conservatives had high hopes for the 2022 Midterms, the U.S. Senate’s map last year always favored Democrats with Republicans having to defend more swing and open seats.
But the opposite is true in 2024.
Next year, Republicans will be defending two seats that could be considered competitive – whereas Democrats will have to defend nine seats that are equally or even more competitive.
Republican Senators Ted Cruz of Texas and Rick Scott of Florida will enter their respective races as favorites.
And Democrats have hinted they also want to target Josh Hawley in very red Missouri.
On the other hand, the election cycle got off to a rocky start early for Democrats, when incumbent Sen. Kyrsten Sinema of Arizona – who is up for reelection next year – left the party and enrolled as an independent.
Then Democrat Sen. Debbie Stabenow announced she would retire rather than face Michigan voters again on the ballot in 2024.
Meanwhile, the terms are up for Democrat incumbents: Jon Tester of Montana, Jacky Rosen of Nevada, Robert Casey Jr. of Pennsylvania, Tim Kaine of Virginia, Joe Manchin of West Virginia, and Tammy Baldwin of Wisconsin.
That’s eight potential pickup opportunities for the Grand Old Party – and they only need one to tie the Democrats and two to take over the majority and send New York’s Chuck Schumer packing back to the minority.
Frank LaRose vs. Sherrod Brown?
But there’s one more state where Democrats find themselves vulnerable – and the chances of them keeping the seat just took a big hit.
Sherrod Brown of Ohio is up for reelection in 2024.
The 70-year-old Senior Senator has watched his state move quickly to the Right in his three terms in the Upper Chamber.
His seat is considered one of the best flip opportunities for Republicans next year.
It's official: I'm running. pic.twitter.com/YEs89T9uU4
— Frank LaRose (@FrankLaRose) July 17, 2023
And the GOP finally got the big hitter to oppose Brown that they’ve been hoping would run.
The Buckeye State’s current Secretary of State, Frank LaRose, has announced his candidacy.
He faces two Primary opponents so far.
And a new survey suggests the newcomer in the race is leading the Primary pack.
According to the A Suffolk/USA Today poll, LaRose is in first place with 28% support.
State Senator Matt Dolan – the establishment’s choice, who caved to the woke mob and changed the name of the Cleveland Indians – is in a distant second place with just 11%.
And pulling up the rear is businessman Bernie Moreno.
LaRose isn’t just a solid conservative who has the early lead in the Primary – the poll shows he also has the best chance of defeating Brown in the general election.
The poll has LaRose – who has just started campaigning – already tied with the incumbent Democrat 45-45.
However, Brown actually leads Dolan by 3-points and Moreno by 7-points.
If LaRose wins the Primary and knocks off Brown in the general, the odds of Republicans winning the majority in the U.S. Senate would be sizable, needing to win just one more race against eight vulnerable Democrats – while only having to defend two seats, both held in relatively reliable red states.
