Democrats’ hopes for control of Senate fading

By LARRY MARGASAK

Associated Press

WASHINGTON – Middle East politics in New York, race issues in Virginia and a Missouri widow’s extraordinary appeal for support of her dead husband have injected election-eve drama into three critical Senate campaigns.

But Democrats still face daunting odds Tuesday in capturing control from Republicans, who now hold a 54-46 majority in the Senate and have 35 of the 66 holdovers not up for election this year.

If Democrat Al Gore wins the White House, the odds become even longer. A re-election victory by Joseph Lieberman in the Connecticut Senate race would be wiped out when he becomes vice president and the state’s Republican governor appoints a Republican to the Senate.

Republicans have virtual locks on 12 of the 19 seats they are defending and are expected take away a seat from Democrats in Nevada. Democrats are safe in only 10 of their 15 seats at stake.

That leaves Democrats with the Herculean task of having to win 10 of the 11 still-contested races to wrest away control of the Senate. Republicans have to win only three of those races to keep it.

“You can make the case we can win each one, but know from history that you don’t win every close race,” said Stuart Roy, spokesman for the Senate GOP campaign organization. “But we hold the upper hand in Nevada and Virginia and we have an opportunity for a trifecta election” – winning the White House, House and Senate.

A half-dozen Republican incumbents are locked in close races: John Ashcroft in Missouri, William Roth in Delaware, Spencer Abraham in Michigan, Slade Gorton in Washington, Conrad Burns in Montana and Rod Grams in Minnesota.

Sen. Charles Robb of Virginia is the only incumbent Democrat in a possible cliffhanger.

Senate Democratic leader Tom Daschle of South Dakota refused to concede anything. “We’ve got momentum,” he said, joking to reporters last week that “this may be the last time you have to address me as minority leader.”

With each passing hour, the Missouri race is reserving additional pages in political science textbooks. Ashcroft is in danger of losing to the late Gov. Mel Carnahan, killed in an Oct. 16 plane crash but still on the ballot because it was too late to remove his name.

His widow, Jean, who has accepted her governor’s offer to take the seat by appointment if her husband wins, has broadcast an emotional appeal for “the values and beliefs that Mel Carnahan wanted to take to the United States Senate.”

In Virginia, Robb, the son-in-law of President Lyndon B. Johnson, has spent the last days of the campaign courting black voters, accusing his opponent of opposing a state holiday for Martin Luther King Jr. The attacks have forced Republican rival George Allen, a former governor, to respond with ads on black-oriented radio stations defending his record.

Against a backdrop of violence in the Middle East, New York’s Republican candidate, Rep. Rick Lazio, unleashed a late barrage of ads accusing his Democratic opponent, first lady Hillary Rodham Clinton, of accepting contributions from Arab-Americans with ties to Palestinian groups linked to terrorism.

Last week, Clinton returned $50,000 raised at an event attended by Boston-area Muslims. Some organizers of the event were quoted as defending violence against Israel.

In New Jersey, Democrat Jon Corzine has become the $60 million man, spending that much of his investment banking fortune for an open seat. A backlash has helped GOP Rep. Bob Franks keep the race close.

Maria Cantwell has spent more than $7.5 million of her personal funds trying to unseat Gorton in Washington state.

In Minnesota, another multimillionaire, Democrat Mark Dayton, has consistently polled ahead of Grams, who has been beset by personal and family problems. The race has tightened after ads on behalf of Grams accused Dayton of waffling over whether the government should require licensing and registration of firearms.

Roth, whose name is on IRAs that have become the retirement vehicles for millions of Americans, must convince Delaware voters that he’s physically fit at 79 to serve a sixth term. He has taken falls in public twice in the last several weeks from what doctors diagnosed as an inner-ear problem. His Democratic opponent, Gov. Tom Carper, has equal name recognition in the small state.

Abraham is trying to stave off a late, strong challenge in Michigan from Democratic Rep. Debbie Stabenow, who three weeks ago trailed by 17 points in some polls. United Auto Workers union members have the day off under their new contract and could help Stabenow.

In Montana, rancher Brian Schweitzer is the Democrats’ challenger to two-term Republican Sen. Conrad Burns.

Other races for open seats are still tight in Florida and Nebraska. Democratic Insurance Commissioner Bill Nelson held a narrowing lead in the polls over GOP Rep. Bill McCollum in Florida and former Democratic Gov. Ben Nelson had a slight edge over Republican Attorney General Don Stenberg in Nebraska.

Copyright ©2000 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Local News

Customers enter and exit the Costco on Dec. 2, 2022, in Lake Stevens. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Costco stores could be impacted by looming truck driver strike threat

Truck drivers who deliver groceries and produce to Costco warehouses… Continue reading

Two Washington State ferries pass along the route between Mukilteo and Clinton as scuba divers swim near the shore Sunday, Oct. 22, 2023, in Mukilteo, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Ferry system increases ridership by a half million in 2024

Edmonds-Kingston route remains second-busiest route in the system.

Alina Langbehn, 6, center, and Vera A., 6, right, sit on a swing together at Drew Nielsen Neighborhood Park after school on Tuesday, Jan. 28, 2025 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Everett council votes to renovate Drew Nielsen Park

Construction on the $345,000 upgrade could start as early as this fall.

Northshore School District bus driver Stewart O’Leary pictured next to his buses shattered drivers side windshield on Friday, Feb. 14, 2025 in Bothell, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
‘Put me in, coach’: Bus driver back at work after struck by metal bar

Stewart O’Leary, a Northshore employee, has received national attention for his composure during a frightening bus trip.

Lynnwood councilor Joshua Binda speaks during a Lynnwood City Council meeting on Wednesday, Nov. 20, 2024. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Does the Lynnwood Council VP live in Lynnwood? It’s hard to say.

Josh Binda’s residency has been called into question following an eviction and FEC filings listing an Everett address. He insists he lives in Lynnwood.

Robin Cain with 50 of her marathon medals hanging on a display board she made with her father on Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025 in Lake Stevens, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Running a marathon is hard. She ran one in every state.

Robin Cain, of Lake Stevens, is one of only a few thousand people to ever achieve the feat.

People line up to grab food at the Everett Recovery Cafe on Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Coffee, meals and compassion are free at the Everett Recovery Cafe

The free, membership-based day center offers free coffee and meals and more importantly, camaraderie and recovery support.

The Everett Wastewater Treatment Plant along the Snohomish River on Thursday, June 16, 2022 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Everett water, sewer rates could jump 43% by 2028

The rate hikes would pay for improvements to the city’s sewer infrastructure.

The bond funded new track and field at Northshore Middle School on Thursday, Oct. 24, 2024 in Bothell, Washington. (Courtesy of Northshore School District)
Northshore School District bond improvements underway

The $425 million bond is funding new track and field complexes, playgrounds and phase one of two school replacements.

An American Robin picks a berry from a holly tree on Thursday, Feb. 13, 2025 in Edmonds, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Calling all birders for the annual Great Backyard Bird Count

The Audubon Society will hold its 28th annual Great Backyard… Continue reading

A view of one of the potential locations of the new Aquasox stadium on Monday, Feb. 26, 2024 in Everett, Washington. The site sits between Hewitt Avenue, Broadway, Pacific Avenue and the railroad. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Initial prep work for AquaSox stadium to start, with $200k price tag

The temporary agreement allows some surveying and design work as the city negotiates contracts with designers and builders.

Aaron Kennedy / The Herald
The Joann Fabric and Crafts store at 7601 Evergreen Way, Everett, is one of three stores in Snohomish County that will close as part of the retailer’s larger plan to shutter more than half of its stores nationwide.
Joann store closure plan includes Everett, Arlington, Lynnwood locations

The retail giant filed a motion in court to close approximately 500 stores in the U.S.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.