A leading nonpartisan political handicapper shifted three Senate races toward the Democrats on Thursday, predicting that with just under five months to go until the midterm elections, the Democrats have a clearer path to winning the Senate majority.

Senate Races Move Toward Democrats

Sabato’s Crystal Ball at the University of Virginia moved the race in battleground North Carolina from toss-up to lean Democrat, with former two-term Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper facing off against former Republican National Committee Chair Mike Whatley in the race to succeed retiring GOP Sen. Thom Tillis.

In Alaska, the Senate showdown between GOP Sen. Dan Sullivan and former Democratic Rep. Mary Peltola was shifted from lean Republican to toss-up. Additionally, the rating in Ohio was changed from lean Republican to toss-up, where appointed GOP Sen. Jon Husted is being challenged by former Democratic Sen. Sherrod Brown.

These shifts come as Republicans currently control the Senate 53-47, but face stiff political headwinds, including economic concerns and rising gas prices. Democrats need a net gain of four seats in the midterms to win back control of the Senate.

Despite the shifts, Sabato’s Crystal Ball still favors Republicans in the overall race for the Senate, noting that there are now enough toss-up races to give Democrats a clearer path to winning the Senate majority, but Republicans can block Democrats by winning just one of the toss-ups.

Original reporting: Fox News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.