GOP sees path to Senate majority via Nevada and Georgia amid spending boost

[brooklynite]

Washington Post

Republicans are zeroing in on a path to win the Senate by picking up Democratic-held seats in Nevada and Georgia, regaining their footing after panicking this summer over far-right nominees and lags in fundraising and advertising.

But the GOP is largely still playing catch-up, as recent surveys show their candidates improving but still trailing in key states, including Pennsylvania and Georgia. And the relief has come at a high cost, borne mostly by a super PAC aligned with Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell (Ky.) that has to pay higher prices than official campaigns to advertise on television stations.

“I’ve definitely seen tightening since Labor Day in most every state I’m involved in,” said Brent Buchanan, president of Cygnal, a Republican polling firm. “The Democrats have maxed out all their opportunities. The question now becomes, can Republicans close enough of the gap?”

Operatives in both parties are dreading the prospect that control of the Senate could again be decided by a runoff in Georgia, as in 2021. The state requires the winning candidate to clear 50 percent, with a runoff in December if neither candidate exceeds that hurdle. A Fox News poll taken in the past week found incumbent Democratic Sen. Raphael G. Warnock leading Republican challenger Herschel Walker 46 percent to 41 percent.