Senate battleground widens to Kansas and Nebraska

Senate map expands

Senators in both parties say the Senate battleground has grown significantly with six months remaining before Election Day. Their assessment now includes Kansas and Nebraska, two states described as solidly Republican-leaning, among places that could be competitive. Democrats can also add New Hampshire to the list of states drawing attention. The shift puts the Republican Senate majority in greater jeopardy by widening the number of states that may matter to control of the chamber.

Economy adds pressure

The wider map is emerging amid voter anger over the economy, making the economy and jobs a central issue in the midterm environment. The development does not establish how voters in Kansas, Nebraska or New Hampshire will cast their ballots. It does show that senators from both parties are no longer limiting their attention to a smaller set of battlegrounds. With more states treated as competitive, the fight for Senate control extends into territory that has leaned solidly Republican as well as New Hampshire.

What the change means

A battleground designation is a political assessment, not an election result. It signals that a state is receiving serious attention in the contest for control, but it does not determine the outcome. Over the next six months, party decisions about where to focus will show whether Kansas, Nebraska and New Hampshire remain on the wider map. The economy and jobs are a key issue to watch as voters weigh the Senate contests.