With so much at stake for the nation in 2024, Republicans now eye the attractive possibility of retaking control of the U.S. Senate. Recent developments point toward a GOP majority in the upper chamber after the November elections.

Senate Democrats currently cling to a 51-49 advantage. However, they face defending a staggering 23 seats come November, including some in deep red states where they will be hard pressed to hang on.

Iowa State political science professor Dave Peterson called the electoral map “good” for Republicans. “There’s a long way to go and a lot of other primaries out there that could hurt them. But I think this is a good year for them.”

Good news came last year when Sen. Joe Manchin (D-WV) announced he will step down at the end of his current Senate term.

West Virginia is a Republican stronghold where Manchin only held onto his seat by adopting moderate principles and being a foil to President Joe Biden’s liberal agenda. Now, even Democrats concede his seat is likely to fall into GOP hands.

I was proud to endorse President Trump and I’m honored that he endorsed me.

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— Rick Scott (@ScottforFlorida) February 12, 2024

With that in mind, most of the party believes the Senate is already 50-50 heading into November. 

Republicans also like their chances in Montana. Rep. Matt Rosendale (R-MT) was persuaded to leave the Senate race to clear the path to nomination for entrepreneur Tim Sheehy, the preferred candidate for Sen. Steve Daines (R-MT).

Daines is also the chair of the Senate Republican campaign team

Political science professor David McCuan of Sonoma State told The Hill that the map works in favor of the GOP. “One reason that it’s still their chamber to lose is because they’ve been able to expand the map.”

McCuan explained, Democrats are unable to expand the map, they have to protect the map. So fundamentally, at base,, Democrats are in a protect mode, and Republicans are in an expansive mode. Republicans remain on offense.”

GOP strategist Ford O’Connell concurred. He noted Republicans now have to take advantage of their position in November.

The party is even on the warpath in Maryland, a deeply red state. Popular ex-Gov. Larry Hogan was recruited to attempt to flip the seat currently held by Democrats.

Of course, the GOP faithful has heard this before, but momentum toward taking control of the Senate by the end of the year appears solid.