Cook Political Report shifts several Senate races toward Democrats | TheHill

The nonpartisan Cook Political Report, an independent online newsletter,  shifted a handful of Senate races on Thursday in favor of Democrats, with the November general election just 103 days away.

With the relabeling came a prediction: that Democrats, who control the House, will win back control of the Senate in November.

Cook switched GOP Sens. Joni ErnstJoni Kay ErnstCook Political Report shifts several Senate races toward Democrats Planned Parenthood launches six-figure ad campaign blasting vulnerable GOP senators on COVID-19 bill Will Congress provide relief to the ailing child care sector? MORE (Iowa) and David Perdue‘s (Ga.) matchups against Democratic challengers from “lean Republican” to a “toss-up,” while Sen. Martha McSallyMartha Elizabeth McSallyCook Political Report shifts several Senate races toward Democrats Amid concerns over coronavirus, Trump turns to ‘tele-rallies’ to drive support Planned Parenthood launches six-figure ad campaign blasting vulnerable GOP senators on COVID-19 bill MORE (R-Ariz.) had her race against former astronaut Mark Kelly (D) changed from “toss-up” to “lean Democratic.”

Jon Ossoff, who will challenge Perdue, said last week that internal polling done by Democratic pollster Garin-Hart-Yang Research Group showed him in a dead heat with the Republican senator, 45-44.

Additionally, Democratic Sen. Tina SmithTina Flint SmithCook Political Report shifts several Senate races toward Democrats On The Money: GOP mulls short-term unemployment extension | White House, Senate GOP strike deal on B for coronavirus testing Senate Democrats call for support for pork producers in coronavirus aid package MORE (Minn.) had her race changed from “lean Democratic” to “solid Democratic.” The race for retiring Sen. Tom UdallThomas (Tom) Stewart UdallCook Political Report shifts several Senate races toward Democrats Bipartisan support grows for inclusion of election funding in Senate stimulus package Hispanic Democrats build capital with big primary wins MORE‘s (D-N.M.) seat between Rep. Ben Ray Luján (D) and Republican Mark Ronchetti was also shifted from “lean Democratic” to “solid Democratic.”

For Democrats to regain control of the Senate in November, they need to either win four seats if presumptive Democratic presidential candidate Joe BidenJoe BidenPelosi says Trump decision to roll back fair housing rule is a ‘betrayal of our nation’s founding values’ Trump says he would consider pardons for those implicated in Mueller investigation Trade negotiations mustn’t short-circuit domestic debate MORE wins, or five seats if he loses.

The independent report notes that the Senate hasn’t been flipped outright during a presidential election year since 1980, when former President Ronald Reagan (R) beat former President Jimmy CarterJimmy CarterCook Political Report shifts several Senate races toward Democrats Why Dr. Fauci is Donald Trump’s worst nightmare The Memo: New shutdowns add to Trump woes MORE (D).

Last week, Cook shifted 20 House races towards Democrats as well. Overall, FiveThiryEight’s average of all congressional races show Democrats with an 8-point lead, 49-41.

The latest ratings from Cook come as President TrumpDonald John TrumpPelosi says Trump decision to roll back fair housing rule is a ‘betrayal of our nation’s founding values’ Trump says he would consider pardons for those implicated in Mueller investigation Fauci says that he and his family have experienced ‘serious threats’ during pandemic MORE has dropped behind Biden in recent swing state polls. Polls released Thursday showed Trump trailing the former vice president by 13 and 6 points in Florida.

A Fox News poll released Thursday evening also showed Trump trailing Biden in Michigan and Pennsylvania by 9 and 11 points, respectively. Trump won both Pennsylvania and Michigan by close margins against former Secretary of State Hillary ClintonHillary Diane Rodham ClintonFox News poll shows Trump trailing Biden in Michigan, Minnesota, Pennsylvania Cook Political Report shifts several Senate races toward Democrats Democratic super PAC to launch six-figure ad buy backing Biden in Texas MORE in 2016.