10 Senate Races to Watch

(NEWSER) - Kay Hagan defeated Elizabeth Dole in North Carolina and at least four other Democrats captured Republican seats in the Senate as the party inched toward a filibuster-proof goal of 60 seats, ABC News reports. It's going down to the wire. Democrats now have 56 seats, and four races remain undecided, including Al Franken's in Minnesota. Republicans got help with victories from Mitch McConnell in Kentucky and Roger Wicker in Mississippi. More»

New Dems from VA, NM, CO likely

(NEWSER) - The GOP's best case-scenario sees the party losing only three Senate seats this fall. Washington Post blogger Chris Cillizza runs down the races most likely to flip a vote:

10. Mississippi: Trent Lott replacement Roger Wicker has never been elected statewide, and Barack Obama's coattails should draw in the large black population.

9. Minnesota: Al Franken remains promising, but he's no sure thing, thanks to back taxes and Playboy bylines.

Blogger runs down races to watch

(NEWSER) - The presidency isn’t the only job up for grabs this November. The Washington Post’s Chris Cillizza runs down (in order) the Senate seats most likely to flip parties:

1. Ex-Virginia governor Mark Warner (D) is mounting a “sure-thing bid.”
2. The survivor of the New Mexico GOP primary will likely fall to Rep. Tom Udall (D).
3. Ex-NH governor Jeanne Shaheen (D) leads incumbent John Sununu by 18 points.

Unseating McConnell, Dole, others possible with funds high, GOP popularity low

(NEWSER) - With a huge fund-raising edge allowing for wide advertising blitzes, Democrats are pushing hard for Senate seats in red states even recently thought unwinnable, Alexander Bolton writes in the Hill. In North Carolina, Dems see a chance to unseat Elizabeth Dole; in Georgia, Saxby Chambliss; in Mississippi, Roger Wicker; and in Kentucky, Republican leader Mitch McConnell. More»

Deep-pocketed stars are raising money for Dem candidates

(NEWSER) - Powerful Hollywood women are reorganizing after Hillary Clinton's failed presidential bid, turning their attention toward increasing the Democratic majority in the Senate. A fundraiser Sept. 27 could raise more than $1 million for candidates, and is being put together by the likes of Jane Fonda, Kate Capshaw, Penny Marshall, Daryl Hannah, Laura Dern, and Sarah Jessica Parker. More»