© Stefani Reynolds
Senate Minority Leader Charles Schumer
Charles (Chuck) Ellis SchumerFacebook reeling after damning NYT report Schumer warns Trump to stay out of government funding negotiations Schumer predicts Nelson will 'continue being senator' if 'every vote counted' MORE (D-N.Y.) played defense Wednesday, saying Democrats had a "really good night" and warning Republicans to not feel confident heading into 2020.
Charles (Chuck) Ellis SchumerFacebook reeling after damning NYT report Schumer warns Trump to stay out of government funding negotiations Schumer predicts Nelson will 'continue being senator' if 'every vote counted' MORE (D-N.Y.) played defense Wednesday, saying Democrats had a "really good night" and warning Republicans to not feel confident heading into 2020. "Last night was a really good night for Democrats and what happened last night doesn't bode well for President Trump
Donald John TrumpBroward County official Brenda Snipes submits resignation after criticism Retired lieutenant general tears into Trump over attacks against Navy SEAL: 'Disgusting' Senate barrels toward showdown over Trump's court picks MORE and Republicans in 2020 and beyond," Schumer told reporters.
Donald John TrumpBroward County official Brenda Snipes submits resignation after criticism Retired lieutenant general tears into Trump over attacks against Navy SEAL: 'Disgusting' Senate barrels toward showdown over Trump's court picks MORE and Republicans in 2020 and beyond," Schumer told reporters. ADVERTISEMENT
Schumer pointed to Democrats taking over control of the House — calling the victory "far and away the most significant change" and "great news for America" — as well as highlighting the Democratic gubernatorial wins and state legislatures.
"Republicans lost women, minorities and suburban voters across the country in such margins that it should worry every Republican candidate in 2020 and President Trump," Schumer added.
Though Democrats made gains in the House and were able to unseat Sen. Dean Heller
Dean Arthur HellerDem gains put Sunbelt in play for 2020 Cortez Masto named Dem Senate campaign chairwoman Nevada New Members 2019 MORE (R-Nev.), Senate Republicans took down three Democrats: Sens. Claire McCaskill
Claire Conner McCaskillWhy Democratic policies outperform Democratic politicians in rural America Josh Hawley will defend the First Amendment and religious liberty Missouri New Members 2019 MORE (Mo.), Joe Donnelly
Joseph (Joe) Simon DonnellyBanking panel showcases 2020 Dems Trump to nominate former coal lobbyist Andrew Wheeler as next EPA administrator Indiana New Members 2019 MORE (Ind.) and Heidi Heitkamp
Mary (Heidi) Kathryn HeitkampBanking panel showcases 2020 Dems Trump to nominate former coal lobbyist Andrew Wheeler as next EPA administrator North Dakota New Members 2019 MORE (N.D.). A fourth, Sen. Bill Nelson
Clarence (Bill) William NelsonSenate barrels toward showdown over Trump's court picks Why Democratic policies outperform Democratic politicians in rural America Nelson concedes in bitterly-fought Florida Senate race MORE (D-Fla.), is headed toward a recount.
Dean Arthur HellerDem gains put Sunbelt in play for 2020 Cortez Masto named Dem Senate campaign chairwoman Nevada New Members 2019 MORE (R-Nev.), Senate Republicans took down three Democrats: Sens. Claire McCaskillClaire Conner McCaskillWhy Democratic policies outperform Democratic politicians in rural America Josh Hawley will defend the First Amendment and religious liberty Missouri New Members 2019 MORE (Mo.), Joe DonnellyJoseph (Joe) Simon DonnellyBanking panel showcases 2020 Dems Trump to nominate former coal lobbyist Andrew Wheeler as next EPA administrator Indiana New Members 2019 MORE (Ind.) and Heidi HeitkampMary (Heidi) Kathryn HeitkampBanking panel showcases 2020 Dems Trump to nominate former coal lobbyist Andrew Wheeler as next EPA administrator North Dakota New Members 2019 MORE (N.D.). A fourth, Sen. Bill NelsonClarence (Bill) William NelsonSenate barrels toward showdown over Trump's court picks Why Democratic policies outperform Democratic politicians in rural America Nelson concedes in bitterly-fought Florida Senate race MORE (D-Fla.), is headed toward a recount. But Schumer countered that Trump's narrative that Tuesday night was a "tremendous success" for Republicans was "delusional."
Democrats went into 2018 with a deeply unfavorable map. They had to defend more than two dozen Senate seats, with 10 of those in states Trump won in 2016.
Schumer, on Wednesday, argued that "given the map" Democrats did better than some predicted and added that he believed Democrats were facing better odds in 2020.
"We'll have a very good shot in 2020. ... In 2020 our map is better, in 2022 our map is even better, still," Schumer said.
They face a more favorable map in 2020. Democrats will have to defend 12 seats, while Republicans will be defending 21. Democrats have one senator who is already considered vulnerable — Alabama Sen. Doug Jones (D).
Republicans are expected to have anywhere from a 51 to a 54 seat majority in 2019 depending on the outcomes in Florida, Arizona and the Mississippi runoff election that is scheduled for later this month.
In addition to Nelson's race, senators are still waiting to find out the outcome of the Arizona Senate race, which has not yet been called. Reps. Martha McSally
Martha Elizabeth McSallyDem gains put Sunbelt in play for 2020 Reelection campaign starts now, like it or not Flake: Arizona ‘certainly is’ winnable for Democrat in 2020 MORE (R-Ariz.) and Kyrsten Sinema (D-Ariz.) are battling to succeed retiring Sen. Jeff Flake
Jeffrey (Jeff) Lane FlakeSenate barrels toward showdown over Trump's court picks Trump’s relationship with Saudi crown prince under pressure Graham urges McConnell to allow vote on bill to protect Mueller MORE (R-Ariz.).
Martha Elizabeth McSallyDem gains put Sunbelt in play for 2020 Reelection campaign starts now, like it or not Flake: Arizona ‘certainly is’ winnable for Democrat in 2020 MORE (R-Ariz.) and Kyrsten Sinema (D-Ariz.) are battling to succeed retiring Sen. Jeff FlakeJeffrey (Jeff) Lane FlakeSenate barrels toward showdown over Trump's court picks Trump’s relationship with Saudi crown prince under pressure Graham urges McConnell to allow vote on bill to protect Mueller MORE (R-Ariz.). If Republicans sweep each of the three races that would mean Democrats would have to pick up four Senate seats and win back the White House or five seats to win control outright.
