A top political handicapper changed his assessment of the pivotal Pennsylvania Senate race Monday, suggesting Democratic Sen. Bob Casey's chances of re-election are diminishing.
Two rating changes were announced approximately two weeks after election day. cook political report Competition is heating up in both Pennsylvania and Nebraska, suggesting independent candidates could unseat incumbent Republicans.
The race between incumbent Casey and Republican challenger Dave McCormick is currently considered a “toss-up” in Pennsylvania, according to handicappers. The fight was previously described as “lean Democratic.”
Schumer-linked group scores millions of dollars against Ted Cruz for Democratic win in Texas
Bob Casey (left) and Dave McCormick (AP | Reuters)
Cook cited McCormick's “strengthening of the Republican base and gains in the western part of the state” as part of his justification. The paper also noted that while polls show Casey with a several-point advantage over his opponent, internal Democratic and Republican polls say the race is within the margin of error.
Casey's race is currently in the same category as Senate races in Michigan, Ohio and Wisconsin.
Republican challenger links Sen Baldwin's comments about Trump voters to Clinton's infamous 'deplorable' moment
Casey leads McCormick by just a single digit. (Bastian Slavbars/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
The change in ratings comes as the presidential race between former President Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris is effectively tied in battleground states. Split votes are becoming increasingly rare, and the party that wins the White House is very likely to win the Senate race as well.
Senate reform: How secret voting could ruin Trump's chances in the top race
McCormick has been endorsed by President Trump. (Jeff Swensen/Getty Images)
Mr. Casey defeated Mr. McCormick among likely voters in the recent election, 48% to 44%. New York Times/Philadelphia Inquirer/Siena College Poll. The survey was conducted from October 7th to October 10th among 857 Pennsylvania voters. The margin of error was +/- 3.8 percentage points.
Republicans have also been hit by ratings fluctuations, with Sen. Deb Fischer's race in Nebraska on the move again, showing a rapidly developing close race. The matchup has changed from “Republican-like” to “Republican-like.”
Hovde spotlights Tammy Baldwin's Wall Street partners at Wisconsin debate
Mr. Osborne (left) is running as an independent and is challenging Mr. Fisher's re-election. (Reuters)
Independent candidate Dan Osborne, a trade union leader and mechanic, appears to have surprised Fisher's re-election campaign with his popularity just weeks after the election. No Democratic candidate was nominated in this election.
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
Despite the notable challenges, “we still think the state's deep red will prevail, Republicans will attack Democratic efforts to quietly boost Osborne's rise, and Mr. Fisher will cross the finish line.” wrote Mr. Cook.
Mr. Fisher's re-election bid is currently in the same category as Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas).
Get the latest on the 2024 campaign trail, exclusive interviews and more with Fox News Digital's Election Hub..
