The Republican Party has a slight edge going into the midterm elections — but it's still going to be a squeaker of a race, according to Kyle Kondik, director of communications at the University of Virginia's Center for Politics.
"I would rather be the Republicans right now than the Democrats in the race for the Senate, but it remains pretty close," Kondik said Wednesday on "The Steve Malzberg Show" on
Newsmax TV.
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"The best, the likeliest outcome is probably a Republican gain of about six or seven [Senate] seats which would give them a very narrow majority.
"But boy, this Kansas situation is very fluid and also a lot of these Senate races remain very close. So I would not be comfortable saying, for sure that Republicans win the Senate, but they're at least a small favorite at this point."
Kondik's reference to Kansas concerns the reelection bid of Sen. Pat Roberts, which may be in grave danger if tea party supporters sit out the key race.
The campaign of Roberts, a Kansas Republican, has been working to regain the support of conservatives after a bruising primary battle against tea party-backed radiologist Milton Wolf.
"Wouldn't it be crazy if Republicans couldn't win the Senate majority because they lost a race in Kansas?" Kondik said.