Key facts
- NRSC Chair Tim Scott has deprioritized Georgia and North Carolina Senate races.
- Republicans have won North Carolina in the last three presidential elections.
- A poll showed GOP Sen. Jon Husted of Ohio trailing former Democratic Sen. Sherrod Brown.
- Another poll indicated Republican John Sununu is neck-and-neck with Democratic Rep. Chris Pappas in New Hampshire.
Republican National Senatorial Committee Chair Tim Scott has signaled a shift in the party's focus by removing Georgia and North Carolina from its list of top Senate targets. This decision, reported by POLITICO, suggests a growing resignation among senior Republicans about the possibility of losing these races, despite President Donald Trump's past successes in both states. Trump carried Georgia twice and North Carolina in the last three presidential elections. By deprioritizing North Carolina, the NRSC is effectively conceding a state that has not elected a Democratic senator since 2008. However, other Republican groups, such as Trump's MAGA Inc., may provide additional support. Scott also presented polling data to senators indicating that Republicans are engaged in close contests in several other key races, aligning with broader public polling. For instance, one poll showed Republican Senator Jon Husted of Ohio trailing former Democratic Senator Sherrod Brown. Another poll indicated that Republican John Sununu is in a near tie with Democratic Representative Chris Pappas in New Hampshire, a seat Republicans are prioritizing. A spokesperson for Whatley, DJ Griffin, stated confidence in securing resources to reach North Carolina voters and win, referencing comments made by Roy Cooper earlier in the year about North Carolina Senate races and undecided voters leaning Republican.