Overview
- Republican operatives who reviewed internal polling say contests in Alaska, Iowa and Ohio now look competitive alongside traditional battlegrounds such as Michigan, Maine and North Carolina.
- At a briefing led by NRSC Chair Tim Scott, Republicans were urged to run on President Trump’s “One Big Beautiful Bill” economic message and to highlight Democrats’ opposition.
- The NRSC is prioritizing defense in Iowa, Alaska, Ohio, Maine and North Carolina while targeting pickups in Michigan, New Hampshire and Georgia.
- NRSC materials identified Maine as the toughest hold, with Sen. Susan Collins facing a difficult path based on the party’s national polling deficit.
- GOP risks include fractious primaries and recruiting shortfalls, with Texas polling suggesting a Ken Paxton nomination could jeopardize the seat and Georgia lacking top-tier recruit Brian Kemp as Sen. Jon Ossoff builds a cash advantage.