2018 should be a great election for Senate Republicans. They're having a hard time recruiting good candidates.
On paper, the 2018 midterms should be great for Republicans in the Senate. With a 52-seat majority, the party has to defend only eight seats while 23 Democrats and their two allied independents are up for re-election, including 10 in states that President Trump won in 2016, five of them by double digits, The Wall Street Journal notes.
So it may seem odd that Republicans are finding it hard to recruit top-notch challengers for next year's midterms. But it isn't that strange, really, the Journal says. "Midterms are often referendums on the president and Mr. Trump currently has a 37 percent approval rating, according to Gallup. And history shows the midterm elections more often than not go poorly for the party that controls the White House." The National Republican Senatorial Committee declined to comment to the Journal on its recruitment efforts.
"It's hard to knock off an incumbent in a good year," says Josh Huder at Georgetown's Government Affairs Institute. "In a not-great year, those odds drop even further." Republican strategist Chuck Warren suggests that Republicans with the money or connections to mount a challenge are also being dissuaded by what appears to be a toxic environment and thankless work in Washington.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
In any case, good years don't always turn out great. In 2016, for example, Senate Democrats gained only two seats despite a similarly friendly map where 24 Republicans were up for re-election versus only 10 Democrats. You can read more about 2018 midterms at The Wall Street Journal.
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Peter has worked as a news and culture writer and editor at The Week since the site's launch in 2008. He covers politics, world affairs, religion and cultural currents. His journalism career began as a copy editor at a financial newswire and has included editorial positions at The New York Times Magazine, Facts on File, and Oregon State University.
-
Today's political cartoons - April 18, 2024
Cartoons Thursday's cartoons - impeachment Peanuts, record-breaking temperatures, and more
By The Week US Published
-
Pros and cons of solar energy
Pros and cons Solar power could become the primary source of electricity worldwide by 2050 – but there are still clouds in the forecast
By Rebecca Messina, The Week UK Published
-
Post Office's Capture software to be reviewed over 'glitches'
Speed Read Solicitor representing accused postmasters says flaws in the IT system follow 'very similar pattern' to Horizon
By Arion McNicoll, The Week UK Published
-
Mark Menzies: Tories investigate MP after 'bad people' cash claims
Speed Read Fylde MP will sit as an independent while party looks into allegations he misused campaign funds on medical expenses and blackmail pay-out
By Arion McNicoll, The Week UK Published
-
Why Johnson won't just pass Ukraine aid
Speed Read The House Speaker could have sent $60 billion in military aid to Ukraine — but it would have split his caucus
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Sudan on brink of collapse after a year of war
Speed Read 18 million people face famine as the country continues its bloody downward spiral
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Trump's first criminal trial starts with jury picks
Speed Read The former president faces charges related to hush money payments made to adult film star Stormy Daniels
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
How will Israel respond to Iran's direct attack?
Speed Read Iran’s weekend attack on Israel could escalate into a wider Middle East war
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
US, Israel brace for Iran retaliatory strikes
Speed Read An Iranian attack on Israel is believed to be imminent
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Congress honors real-life Rosie the Riveters
Speed Read These American women reshaped the work force during World War II
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Outgunned Ukraine could fall, US general warns
Speed Read Without more US aid, Ukraine is at risk of losing the war
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published