University of Virginia political scientist Larry Sabato said on the eve of the midterm elections that Republicans will take a 53-seat Senate majority.
"Sabato's Crystal Ball" website has now called the remaining elections it was holding out on, Sabato said Monday on Fox News Channel's
"Hannity," and he says both Georgia and Louisiana will fall into the GOP column after likely runoffs in each.
"It does not include North Carolina and New Hampshire," Sabato said. "We still have them leaning to the Democrats, but it's awfully close. Don't be surprised if there's an upset in one or both of those states."
Republicans currently control 45 seats to the Democrats' 55. Sabato expects Colorado, Alaska, Iowa, Arkansas also to flip to the GOP. "And, of course, the three gimmes: West Virginia, South Dakota and Montana."
"That's a lot of seats in one year," Sabato said. "It's difficult to see how the Democrats hold on."
Sabato also predicts a nine-seat pickup in the House. In the governors' races, he expects Republicans to lose three, Democrats to pick up two, with one independent win.