Skip to main content
Tags: 2012 elections | Senate majority | Republicans | Democrats | retirements | vulnerabilities | Kent Conrad

Charlie Cook: GOP Could Regain Senate in 2012

Saturday, 29 January 2011 11:51 AM EST

With 23 seats to defend next year versus 10 for the opposition, Democrats will not find it easy to preserve their shrinking Senate majority, political analyst Charlie Cook writes in the National Journal. 2012 elections,Senate majority,Republicans,Democrats,retirements,vulnerabilities,Kent Conrad,Ben Nelson,Jim Webb,Charlie Cook,Cook Report,National JournalRepublicans need a net gain of four seats in the 2012 elections to retake control, and they have several opportunities for pickups.

The retirement of Democratic Sen. Kent Conrad sets up a Republican to succeed him in conservative North Dakota. Two-term Sen. Ben Nelson of Nebraska looks vulnerable to a GOP challenge. And given the political currents in Virginia, Sen. Jim Webb’s seat could return to Republicans whether he runs to keep it or not.

Webb is one of nine Democrats first elected to the Senate in 2006, what Cook calls “a great year for their party,” as compared to the different environment they are likely to face in 2012.

“Retirements, recruiting, campaign developments, and the economy will play huge roles in determining the outcome,” Cook cautions. “Still, simple math suggests that [Democrats’] hold on the majority is at risk.”

© 2025 Newsmax. All rights reserved.

Sign up for Newsmax’s Daily Newsletter

Receive breaking news and original analysis - sent right to your inbox.

(Optional for Local News)
Privacy: We never share your email address.

InsideCover
With 23 seats to defend next year versus 10 for the opposition, Democrats will not find it easy to preserve their shrinking Senate majority, political analyst Charlie Cook writes in the National Journal. Republicans need a net gain of four seats in the 2012 elections to...
2012 elections,Senate majority,Republicans,Democrats,retirements,vulnerabilities,Kent Conrad,Ben Nelson,Jim Webb,Charlie Cook,Cook Report,National Journal
175
2011-51-29
Saturday, 29 January 2011 11:51 AM
Newsmax Media, Inc.
Join the Newsmax Community
Read and Post Comments
Please review Community Guidelines before posting a comment.
 

Interest-Based Advertising | Do not sell or share my personal information

Newsmax, Moneynews, Newsmax Health, and Independent. American. are registered trademarks of Newsmax Media, Inc. Newsmax TV, and Newsmax World are trademarks of Newsmax Media, Inc.

NEWSMAX.COM
America's News Page
© 2025 Newsmax Media, Inc.
All Rights Reserved
Download the Newsmax App
NEWSMAX.COM
America's News Page
© 2025 Newsmax Media, Inc.
All Rights Reserved