Senate races to watch as Dems seek to expand edge
By The Associated Press, Associated Press
Democrats appear all but certain to expand their 51-49 Senate majority this year. Republicans are defending 23 Senate seats, including five left open by GOP retirements, while Democrats have just 12 senators up for re-election and no departures.
The most competitive races:
Possible Democratic pickups:
Alaska. Democratic Anchorage Mayor Mark Begich will likely face the Senate's longest-serving Republican, Ted Stevens, who was indicted last month.
Colorado. Five-term Democratic Rep. Mark Udall faces former Republican Rep. Bob Schaffer to succeed retiring GOP Sen. Wayne Allard.
New Hampshire. First-term Republican Sen. John E. Sununu is in a rematch against former Democratic Gov. Jeanne Shaheen.
New Mexico. Third-term Republican Rep. Steve Pearce trails fifth-term Democratic Rep. Tom Udall in race to succeed retiring GOP Sen. Pete V. Domenici.
Virginia. Former GOP Gov. Jim Gilmore lags behind former Democratic Gov. Mark Warner to succeed retiring Republican Sen. John W. Warner.
Vulnerable GOP incumbents:
Maine. Sen. Susan M. Collins, has an edge over sixth-term Democratic Rep. Tom Allen.
Minnesota. Sen. Norm Coleman leads the Democrat, comedian-turned-candidate Al Franken.
Mississippi. Appointed Republican Sen. Roger Wicker is up against former Gov. Ronnie Musgrove in a special election to serve out the remaining four years of retired GOP Sen. Trent Lott's term.
North Carolina. Republican Sen. Elizabeth Dole is trying to hold off a challenge from Democratic state Sen. Kay Hagan.
Oregon. Second-term moderate Sen. Gordon Smith is challenged by statehouse Democratic Speaker Jeff Merkley.
Vulnerable Democrat:
Louisiana. Democratic Sen. Mary L. Landrieu is in a close contest with Republican State Treasurer John Kennedy.
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