The GOP was confident about keeping its Senate majority. Now the fight for control is wide open

WASHINGTON (AP) – Republicans appeared to have a firm grip on the Senate heading into the final two years of President Donald Trump's term.

Key points

• It's a battle that's projected to exceed $3.4 billion in spending throughout all races during the midterm campaign.
• Republicans say it's unlikely for everything to break in Democrats' favor, but they acknowledge they're facing a tough landscape.
• But races Democrats once counted on winning have additionally become more complicated.

Democrats have discovered themselves competing in states that once seemed beyond their reach as President Donald Trump's slipping approval ratings and voters' dissatisfaction with the economy create a challenging political environment for Republicans. But races Democrats once counted on winning have additionally become more complicated.

It's a battle that's projected to exceed $3.4 billion in spending throughout all races during the midterm campaign. As the Senate is empowered to confirm or block presidential nominees, the implications are massive for Trump's agenda and his ability to fill administration jobs and open court seats for the remainder of his term.

Republicans say it's unlikely for everything to break in Democrats' favor, but they acknowledge they're facing a tough landscape. Senate Majority Leader John Thune informed South Dakota's KELOLAND News last week that he does "worry" concerning losing the chamber.

"I'm a realist, " Thune remarked. "I don't ever try and sugarcoat things. I think it's a competitive environment right now."

Taken together, the developments around the GOP was confident about keeping its Senate majority. Now the fight point to a situation that is still moving, and the coming days should bring more clarity.