2014 Senate Elections - Democratic Targets

Despite the obvious advantage that the Republicans have in gaining seats in 2014, there are a few races in which Democrats could oust the Republican Party.

Georgia – This may come as a surprise to many people, considering that Georgia is a very red state. The incumbent Republican senator, Saxby Chambliss, has decided to retire, flinging this race wide open. So far the only declared candidate of either party is Republican Paul Broun. If he manages to win the Republican primary then the Republicans are in big trouble as Broun is a Tea Party extremist who made noise last year when he claimed several scientific theories were “lies straight from the pit of Hell!” This race could shape up to be a lot like the Indiana race last year when a Tea Party Republican named Richard Mourdock lost a safe Republican seat to the Democrats.

Kentucky – Many people (especially Democrats) have voiced the idea of ousting Mitch McConnell, despite his national prominence as a Republican. McConnell also fears a Tea Party primary challenge that could take him off the Republican ticket before he faces a Democrat. The person the Democrats want the most is actress Ashley Judd. Despite trailing McConnell by a few points in recent polls, she could prove a serious contender. In fact many Republicans are fearing her entering the race; Karl Rove has already run an advert against her, even though she hasn’t decided whether to run or not!

Maine – The Democrats’ chances of flipping this traditionally blue state all rest on what incumbent Republican senator, Susan Collins decides to do. If Collins decides to retire then I believe the seat will likely go Democratic, but if Collins decides to run then the seat will probably remain Republican.

Unfortunately for Democrats these are the only seats that they have even the faintest hope of winning, it would take an extraordinary set of circumstances for them to win in the other Republican seats of Alabama, Idaho, Kansas, Mississippi, Nebraska, Oklahoma, South Carolina (Special and normal), Tennessee, Texas and Wyoming.