One of the biggest fears among GOP insiders these days is what effect presumptive presidential nominee Donald Trump will have on down-ballot candidates. With or without Trump, the Senate map was going to be unkind to Republicans this election cycle, so blaming the presidential nominee for losing the majority (though it would likely happen) would be unfair. But new Quinnipiac polls released Wednesday hold forth some hope for Republicans in the Senate.
The poll shows Sen. Pat Toomey, R-Pa., up nine points over his Democratic opponent, Katie McGinty (other polls show a closer race). In Florida, Sen. Marco Rubio announced he was running for re-election (after repeatedly saying he wouldn’t and just two days before the filing deadline), and is now up seven points over Democratic Rep. Patrick Murphy and eight points over his primary opponent, Democratic Rep. Alan Grayson. It also shows an even race in Ohio between Sen. Rob Portman, R, and former Gov. Ted Strickland, D.
