Tester Re-Election Announcement Boosts Democrats Chances In 2024

Democrats have received a boost today with moderate Senator Jon Tester (D-MO) announcing on Twitter that he will run for re-election in 2024.

• Tester said: "It's official. I'm running for reelection."
• Tester’s Montana seat is one of the most vulnerable of the 2024 cycle and without his incumbency, and name recognition, the seat would likely flip to the GOP.
• The 2024 Senate map strongly favours the GOP: 23 Democrats are up for reelection against just 11 Republicans. With very few pickup opportunities, Democrats will likely need to hold all three highly vulnerable seats, Tester in Montana, Joe Manchin (D-WV) in West Virginia, and Sherrod Brown (D-OH) in Ohio, to have a chance at retaining control of the Senate in 2025.
• Democrats have an additional headache in Arizona where local Democrats are considering a challenge to former Democrat, now Independent incumbent, Kyrsten Sinema (I-AZ). Any move to unseat Sinema may split the Democrat vote and hand the advantage to the GOP.
• Democrats one-seat buffer is also imperiled by the ongoing health concerns facing Senator John Fetterman (D-PA) who is receiving treatment for depression and lingering complication from a stroke.