GOP Fears Senate Loss

The Republican majority in the U.S. Senate is in jeopardy amid the Wuhan crisis.

Despite Republicans holding a 53–47 majority in the Senate, fundraising reports from the first three months of 2020 show Senate Republicans falling victim to an enthusiasm gap among donors, a traditional barometer of election outcomes.

Top GOP strategist Josh Holmes said, "the Senate is absolutely at risk of going Democratic," arguing that, "Democrats are still way ahead when it comes to digital fundraising. It will get worse. It will get a lot worse, because there is no easy way to play catch-up."

The reports argue this is due to Democrats' successful online fundraising campaigns — campaigns Republicans are unable to focus on because they are devoting time they would normally spend fundraising on ending lockdowns and solving the public health crisis.

The fundraising gap builds high hopes for Democrats intending to flip the four seats they need to win the majority.

The GOP seats in danger include Sen. Susan Collins in Maine, Sen. Steve Daines in Montana, Sen. Thom Tillis in North Carolina and Sen. Cory Gardner in Colorado.

As of now, only one Democratic seat, held by Sen. Doug Jones in Alabama, is likely to flip to Republicans.

Republican election experts are calling the 2020 race a referendum on President Trump and his handling of the pandemic.

GOP strategist Alex Conant said, "Now, no one knows what the world is going to look like in six months. How Trump handles the crisis will determine the outcome." 

As the pandemic continues, fears increase. Republicans in the Senate, as well as President Trump, are at risk of losing come election day in November — losses with enormous consequences.