Tough 2016 Senate map for GOP gets another twist

[TexasTowelie]

WASHINGTON -- Republicans’ plans to defend their Senate majority in 2016 just got a bit more complicated.

GOP Sen. David Vitter’s loss in Louisiana’s governor’s race over the weekend, and his decision to leave the Senate next year rather than seek re-election, creates an open seat that Republicans will have to defend. It’s a deep-red Southern state and the GOP will be heavily favored, but Democrats hope they might have a shot, especially with a newly elected Democratic governor, John Bel Edwards, as an unanticipated asset.

The Louisiana race is the latest wrinkle as Republicans face what’s already a tough Senate map next year. They are defending 24 seats, compared to 10 for Democrats, and seven of those GOP seats are in states President Barack Obama won in 2012.

Democrats are sounding increasingly confident they will pick up the seats needed to win back the Senate control they lost just last year. They need to net four seats if they hang onto the White House, since the vice president casts tie-breaking votes in the Senate; or five seats if Republicans win the presidency.

Read more here: http://www.star-telegram.com/news/nation-world/national/article46179945.html

[jeff47]

1. Actually, Vitter not running for re-election makes it easier for the Republicans.

The loss of the governor race, coupled with his history, makes Vitter an easy-to-beat opponent. Not running lets the Republicans put up someone who's far less damaged.

[Gothmog]

2. Another seat for the GOP to defend