Over the past months, the battle for the Senate has started to take shape as multiple senators and hopefuls have announced their intention to run in 2024. The presidential race will dominate headlines next year, but the fight for a virtually deadlocked Senate will be crucial to both Republicans and Democrats. There are currently three open races in Indiana, California and Michigan as Republican Mike Braun, Democrat Dianne Feinstein and Democratic Debbie Stabenow have all announced they do not intend to run for reelection. There are still several senators who are still undecided about whether they will run for election and those seats could be key to which party takes the majority. See the senators who are undecided below.
Joe Manchin, D-West Virginia
Manchin’s West Virginia seat is the Democrats most vulnerable seat and one which Republicans will target to flip in 2024. He has told reporters he will not announce his decision until the end of the year and the filing deadline is in January, 2024. West Virginia Gov. Jim Justice looks set to enter the race which is a major blow to Manchin’s hopes of retaining his seat. Democrats could run someone else besides Manchin, but the state has taken a significant shift to the right and any other candidate besides Manchin would likely face defeat.
Krysten Sinema, I-Arizona
Sinema recently left the Democrat party to become an independent and this have may have been done to help her chances in 2024. Like West Virginia, Arizona also has the potential to be a swing state, so she will take her time to make sure her chances are good. Also, the filing deadline in Arizona isn’t until April 2024. One problem Sinema faces is that it takes more money and time to run as an independent. Both Republicans and Democrats will see her seat as an opportunity because Sinema isn’t extremely popular among either party.
Ben Cardin, D-Maryland
Cardin’s poor fundraising is fueling rumors that it looks like he will not run. But it will likely be inconsequential to Democrats, as Maryland has become deep blue and whoever runs on their ticket will likely win. The only hope Republicans have would be to convince former Gov. Larry Hogan to run, who is popular with both parties in the state.
Martin Heinrich, D-New Mexico
Heinrich is young but still has not announced his 2024 intentions. Like the situation in Maryland, Democrats would most likely still hold the seat if he did not run. Republicans have decent support in New Mexico and will look to run a solid candidate in order for the Democrats to spend more money in this race.
Thomas Carper, D-Delaware
Democrats have become a dominant force in general elections in Delaware so Carper’s hesitancy won’t be a problem for them with this seat. If Carper, who is 76, doesn’t run, Democrats will turn to Rep. Lisa Blunt Rochester who already represents a large portion of the state’s population.
