Republicans Face Midterm Alarms

Democrats opened a sharp midterm polling lead as the Senate map widened into Republican territory. They lead the generic congressional ballot by about nine points, while Gallup found 50% of adults identify with or lean Democratic, compared with 39% for Republicans. Democrats need a net gain of four Senate seats, and races now look competitive in states Trump won comfortably in 2024. The pressure comes as Democrats also target the House, where Republicans hold a narrow majority. Trump has urged supporters to vote and promised financial giveaways, while GOP groups prepare heavy ad spending. Republicans say polls undercount their voters; Democrats say voters are rejecting Trump’s agenda. The election is still weeks away.