Twelve weeks before the midterm elections, Republicans’ hopes of
retaking the Senate rest on a slate of Donald Trump's hand-picked
nominees. And, across the board, they appear to be struggling.

In Pennsylvania, a ferocious Democratic campaign to paint Mehmet Oz as
an out-of-touch carpetbagger has left him trailing in multiple polls.
Herschel Walker may be a Georgia Bulldogs legend, but key voters appear
to be doubting him after a series of gaffes and abuse allegations. The
backing of Silicon Valley titan Peter Thiel hasn't yet been enough to
sell Blake Masters' sharp-edged conservatism to Arizona voters. 

Yes, it's still early. Yes, Democrats have been on a bit of a winning
streak lately. And, yes, plenty is going to change before Nov. 8. But
with only one competitive state (New Hampshire) yet to select its Senate
nominee, the picture is clear: Democrats across the country are finding
ways to run ahead — sometimes well ahead — of Joe Biden's approval
ratings.

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Raghu Manavalan is the Host of POLITICO's Playbook.
Jenny Ament is the Executive Producer of POLITICO Audio.