Balance of power on Capitol Hill takes center stage in 2024 election

WASHINGTON (TND) — He's a moderate Republican with high approval ratings, and a history of working across the aisle, and that is exactly what Democrats are afraid of.

In his victory speech Tuesday night, Larry Hogan, the former governor of deep blue Maryland, said “This is not just the difference between the right and the left. This is the difference between right and wrong. “

Hogan is now the official Republican candidate for the U.S. Senate, who will face off against Democrat Angela Alsobrooks.

"The vision we have for our state and for our country - that’s what this discussion is about - whether or not we protect a woman's right to choose, whether we codify it in federal law, whether or not we protect voting rights," Alsobrooks said.

For now, polls show Alsobrooks leading, but Democrats are already on defense, releasing new ads like one from the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee, which laid out the stakes.

The ad shows Hogan being asked, "Are you going to caucus with the Republicans?"

He responds, "Of course, I am. I’m a lifelong Republican going back to Ronald Reagan" with the ad ending with the words "A Vote for Larry Hogan is a vote for a Republican Senate Majority."

The balance of power in the Senate has already tipped with the upcoming retirement of West Virginia's Joe Manchin, who represents the state which Trump won in 2016 and 2020 by 40 points.

In a speech Tuesday night, West Virginia Governor Jim Justice thanked his supporters and reiterated his love for former President Donald Trump.

The Republican candidate for Senate is expected to win handily in November, which will mean the 51-49 Senate split will almost certainly shift to 50-50 next year.

After that, all Republicans have to do is pick up one of the eight Democratic seats considered to be in play to have a true majority.

The difficult road for Democrats in the Senate is expected for Republicans in the House this November.

With just a one-vote majority, there are more than three dozen vulnerable seats, with current polls giving Democrats an edge in taking over control.