Looking at the numbers, Democrats seem to have a better chance seizing control of the Senate in 2018 than winning a majority and clawing their way back to power in the House.
Republicans hold a mere 52-48 Senate majority while outnumbering Democrats in the House by 44 seats, with five vacancies.
But elections are not about mathematics or determined by probability.
Though Democrats need to win just three seats to take over the Senate, the lay of the political landscape appears to strongly favor Republicans, who are defending nine seats in the 2018 midterm election, compared with more than twice that _ 25 _ for Democrats.
In the House, Democrats need a gain in the neighborhood of 24 seats to take control. There are about 50 seats, give or take, that appear reasonably competitive. That suggests at least a decent chance that power could shift.
The most important factor will be President Donald Trump and his standing with voters by the time November 2018 rolls around. Although he won't be up for re-election until 2020, his policies and performance will be very much on the ballot in the midterm election. (For some, his super-size personality will also be a factor.)
