Polls Suggest 11 Senate Seats Could Change Hands in US Midterm Elections

Democrats are hoping to regain control of the Senate in the US midterm elections. Republicans, on the other hand, want to retain their majority. Various opinion polls before the election suggest a close contest between the two parties.

According to CNN's 'Poll of Polls' on Monday 2 November, power could change hands in 11 contested seats. The report says those seats have become important in determining control of the Senate.

In North Carolina, Democrats have a chance to win for the first time since 2008. In opinion polls, the party's candidate Roy Cooper is 14 points ahead of his Republican rival. Republicans have also cut their campaign budget there as they trail in the polls.

The contest in Ohio is competitive. Former Democratic senator Sherrod Brown is five points ahead of Republican candidate Jon Husted there. In advertising campaigns costing more than 100 million dollars, data centres, the Epstein files and corruption allegations have become important issues.

Texas has recorded its highest early voting in 32 years, with 7.7 million early votes cast. Democratic candidate James Talarico is ahead in the polls. The report mentions Republican fears that if Latino and minority voters support Democrats, the long-standing Republican dominance could change.

Democratic candidates are also in an advantageous position in Kansas and Iowa. High fuel oil prices, rising fertiliser prices and farmers' dissatisfaction with President Donald Trump's tariff policy are affecting the campaign. Adam Hamilton in Kansas and Josh Turek in Iowa have built strong positions, the report says.

In Alaska, Democratic candidate Mary Peltola is ahead by a small margin despite confusion over two candidates named Dan Sullivan. In Michigan, Democratic candidate Haley Stevens has endorsed Republican candidate Mike Rogers instead of Abdul El-Sayed; Democratic leader Chuck Schumer called the decision a 'despicable betrayal'. However, progressive candidate El-Sayed is still ahead in the polls.

In New Hampshire, Democratic candidate Chris Pappas is ahead by 12 points. In Georgia, Democratic senator Jon Ossoff is also in an advantageous position after strong campaigning. In South Carolina, after Lindsey Graham's death, his sister Darlene Graham is under pressure because of controversial comments, the report says.