Thune Warns of Tight Senate Races as Republicans Shift Millions in Cash

Senate Majority Leader John Thune is expressing confidence that Republicans can defy current polling trends and preserve their narrow Senate majority in the Nov. 3 election, even as GOP groups pull funding from some candidates and pour money into increasingly competitive races.

According to Fox News, Thune, R-S.D., acknowledged that several contests have become difficult to predict as Election Day approaches.

During an interview with the outlet in Nebraska while campaigning for Sen. Pete Ricketts, R-Neb., he described several races as essentially too close to call.

"I think there are a lot of races right now just looking at the polling that are up for grabs," Thune said. "They're margin of error races, and there are some that are maybe a little out of the margin."

Thune argued that Republicans have historically performed better on Election Day than polling has suggested. He said he expects that pattern to continue this year.

"I do think the polling right now, like it has been in past elections, under-reflects the Republican vote," he said.

Thune has spent recent weeks traveling around the country to campaign for Republicans facing difficult races. The GOP currently holds a 53-47 advantage in the Senate, leaving little room for error as Democrats target several seats.

According to Cook Political Report, Republicans are defending six toss-up Senate races this cycle. Some contests that once looked safer for the GOP, including races in Mississippi and South Carolina, have also moved in Democrats' direction.

The shifting battlefield has also affected how Republican groups spend their money. GOP political action committees and outside organizations have committed hundreds of millions of dollars to competitive races, but recent spending changes are drawing attention.

Earlier this month, the Senate Leadership Fund, a PAC aligned with Thune, shifted money away from Georgia and toward Kansas. Sen. Roger Marshall, R-Kan., is facing an unexpectedly competitive race there.

The group had previously committed $44 million to help Rep. Mike Collins, R-Ga., challenge Democratic Sen. Jon Ossoff. But Ossoff has maintained an advantage in polling while bringing in substantial campaign donations.

North Carolina has also become more challenging for Republicans. Former RNC co-chair Michael Whatley is seeking the seat being vacated by retiring Republican Sen. Thom Tillis, but Democratic former Gov. Roy Cooper has emerged as a strong contender.

Outside Republican spending in the state has fallen sharply, while President Donald Trump has publicly acknowledged concern about Whatley's chances.

Thune said turnout could decide several close races, particularly among voters who do not regularly participate in elections. He remains convinced Republicans will exceed expectations.

"I think that we're gonna outperform the polls for sure come Election Day," Thune said.