Cook Political Report on Thursday moved its outlook to a net gain of five to seven Senate seats for Democrats, and now says Democrats are slightly favored to win the Senate majority.
Why it matters: Cook currently forecasts that President Trump's troubles could affect Republicans down the ballot, calling the incumbent president the "decided underdog against former Vice President Joe Biden."
The state of play: Democrats must win at least four Senate seats to claim the majority.
- Cook moved the race in Arizona between Sen. Martha McSally (R) and former astronaut Mark Kelly (D) from "toss up" to leaning Democratic in its July rating.
- It also moved the races in Iowa between Sen. Joni Ernst (R) and Theresa Greenfield (D) and Georgia between Sen. David Perdue and Jon Ossoff from leaning Republican to toss-ups.
- It moved Minnesota's and New Mexico's races from likely Democratic to solidly Democratic.
The big picture: Cook also shifted its outlook for 20 House races toward Democrats last week, signaling that Democrats stand to widen their lead in the House.
- Republicans need to pick up 18 seats to win the House back in 2020, but polling is firmly moving against that hope.
- Meanwhile, Trump is trailing Biden in multiple state polls less than four months before November's election.
Go deeper: Poll shows Biden beating Trump by 13 points in Florida
