{
  "id": 301537,
  "title": "Republicans Behind in Five Key Races They Haven't Lost in Decades",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/08/republicans-behind-in-five-key-races-they-havent-lost-in-decades",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-08-08T09:00:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Newsweek",
    "slug": "newsweek",
    "url": "https://www.newsweek.com/republicans-behind-in-five-key-races-they-havent-lost-in-decades-12298107"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "As the 2024 midterm elections approach, Republicans are reported to be trailing behind in five key races they have never lost in decades. Democrats attribute this shift to President Donald Trump's declining popularity, which could prove beneficial for Democrats in November. In the latest Ipsos/Reuters poll, Trump's approval rating stands at just 35%, with 4,505 adults surveyed between July 29 and August 3.\n\nLooking at five key races where Republicans have historically won, Democrats now have an edge. Republicans are trailing Democratic candidates in the recent polls for the Senate races in Texas and North Carolina, as well as the governor races in Georgia, Iowa, and Ohio. These races have not been lost by Republicans in nearly 40 years.\n\nHowever, Jared McDonald, a professor of political science at the University of Mary Washington, notes that Democrats leading in these races is \"a little surprising.\" He also adds that a Democratic victory is \"not out of the question\" in November. Factors like candidate quality and the impact of a \"fairly normal polling error\" could lead to either party winning these states.\n\nMcDonald emphasizes that polling results reflect a contest between any party winning, and only a small percentage of Republican voters would cross over to support a Democrat. However, if 10% of Republicans were to switch their support, it could be decisive.\n\nMeanwhile, the Republican National Committee spokesperson, Natalie Baldassarre, maintains confidence in Republican candidates, emphasizing strong candidates, lower drug prices, a secure border, more jobs, and less taxes as reasons for Republican victory in November.\n\nIn the Georgia governor race, Democrats have a lead over Republicans, with former Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms holding a 2-point lead over businessman Rick Jackson. Most recent polls show Bottoms up by 2-7 points, but the race remains tight. Bottoms is backed by a 58% chance on prediction markets, compared to Jackson's 42% or 43% chance. The last Democrat to win a Georgia governor race was in 1998, but since then, Republicans have carried the governor races in every election.",
  "summary": "Democrats believe Trump’s unpopularity could help carry them to victory in November, including in more conservative states.",
  "key_points": [
    "Republicans trailing in five key races they haven't lost in decades",
    "Democrats leading in Senate races in Texas and North Carolina",
    "Democrats leading in governor races in Georgia, Iowa, and Ohio"
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": "https://urgent.news/ill/301537.png",
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}