Here are our 2nd look at the U.S. Senate races in 2008:
Arkansas U.S. Senate Race: Sen. Mark Pryor is looking for another term and will likely get it with his wide popularity, but if Former Governor Mike Huckabee were to drop out early of the presidential race and run for the seat like the GOP hopes, this race will become competitive.
Our Rating: Likely Democratic Hold
Colorado U.S. Senate Race: With GOP Incumbent Wayne Allard retiring it looks as if the GOP will lose this seat. Former Congressman Bob Schaffer will likely lose to Congressman Mark Udall who currently has the most support. Schaffer still holds a chance in the race, but a very slim one.
Our Rating: Likely Democratic Pick-Up
Idaho U.S. Senate Race: Sen. Larry Craig who was expected to resign, but now seems to be looking to fight on makes this Safe GOP seat vulreable. If Craig remains and somehow wins renomination by his party with his challenegr Former Congressman Larry LaRocco is praying for, we could see this once immpossible sceneiro come true. Dont look for to happen though. Craig is expected to resign and Lt. Governor Jim Risch will take his place and crush LaRocco, and even if Craig doesn't resign and runs Risch or some other GOP will likely defeat him.
Our Rating: Likely Republican Hold
Iowa U.S. Senate Race: Longtime Incumbent Tom Harkin will likely cruise to an easy re-election. Congressmen Steve King and Tom Laham may however decide to jump in and give Harkin a challenge.
Our Rating: Safe Democratic Hold
Louisiana U.S. Senate Race: Sen. Mary Landrieu is on the GOP's target list but no one wnats to run against her. She may squeeze by. The only possible challenger left is Democrat turned Republican State Treasurer John Kennedy (No relation to the famed Kennedy's in MA). Kennedy is expected to run making this race a toss-up as of now.
Our Rating: Toss-Up
Maine U.S. Senate Race: Sen. Susan Collins leads her likely challenger Congressman Tom Allen by a wide margin, but Allen's will surely pounce on Collins for breaking her promise of only serving 3 terms. Look for Collins's lead to dwindle, but for her to likely hold on.
Our Rating: Likely Republican Hold
Minnesota U.S. Senate Race: Sen. Norm Coleman has fallen 10 points in the polls to possible challengers, Comedian Al Franken. and Attorneys Mike Ciresi, and Jim Cohen. Coleman who seemed in danger and then safe is back in danger and #1 on the Democrats hit list next year.
Our Rating: Slight Republican Hold
Nebraska U.S. Senate Race: Sen. Chuck Hagel's exit from the race makes this once safe GOP seat become wide-open. Attorney General Jon Bruning currently leads the race for the GOP nomination over Fmr. Congressman and Omaha Mayor Hal Daub, but should U.S. Secretary of Agriculture, and Former Governor Mike Johanns run for the seat, a bitter primary race would arouse. A new primary poll shows Johanns leading Bruning 39-30%. The Democrats are trying to draft Former U.S. Senator and Governor Bob Kerrey into the race. If Kerrey did run he would certainly get the nomination and lead the race to succeed Hagel. Kerrey is widely popular in the state and is expected to announce his intentions soon.
Our Rating: Toss-Up
New Hampshire U.S. Senate Race: Sen. John Sununu is #1 on the Democrats' sights to defeat in 2008. Former NH Governor and 'o2 Challenger Jeanne Shaheen has announced she will run next year against Sununu and currently enjoys a 15-20 point lead. Sununu needs to seriously concentrate if he wishes to win next year.
Our Rating: Likely Democratic Pick-Up
New Mexico U.S. Senate Race: Sen. Pete Domenici is expected to cruise to re-election even though his popularity has dwindled. Democrats can't seem to recruit a strong enough candidate and Domenici is leading in polls by wide margins.
Our Rating: Likely Republican Hold
North Carolina U.S. Senate Race: Sen. Elizabeth Dole is expected to cruise to re-ecltion with Congressman Brad Miller backing out of the race. Dole is very popular and no strong candidates dare challenge her.
Our Rating: Safe Republican Hold
Oregon U.S. Senate: Sen. Gordon Smith is expected to win re-election next year, but State Speaker of the House Jeff Merkley could give him a run for his money. Democrats will likely pay no attention to this race and let Smith slide.
Our Rating: Likely Republican Hold
South Dakota U.S. Senate Race: Sen. Tim Johnson after his recovery has become so popular that he should glide to a easy win next year. The only way he would lose would be if Governor Mike Rounds ran against him.
Our Rating: Likely Democratic Hold
Virginia U.S. Senate Race: Sen. John Warner's retirement pretty much hands the seat to the Democrats. Former Governor Mark Warner who was thought to be thinking about running for president in 2008, deicded to run for the now open seat next year. He is the wide favorite, but Sen. Warner's choice and several other prominent GOP's in the state's choice Congressman Tom Davis and Former Governor and RNC Chairman Jim Gilmore who just ended his presidential bid, will have something to say in this race. Gov. Warner leads in the state by 20 points in early polls.
Our Rating: Likely Democratic Pick-up.
Our 2008 Predictions
U.S. Senate
Democrats 53 +3
Republicans 45 -3
Independents 2 +0
Toss-Ups 2
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