© Stefani Reynolds
Senate Minority Leader Charles Schumer
Charles (Chuck) Ellis SchumerOvernight Health Care: Dem chair meets Trump health chief on drug prices | Trump officials sued over new Kentucky Medicaid work rules | Democrats vow to lift ban on federal funds for abortions We can’t tackle climate change if we ignore the main polluter — transportation Hoyer introducing legislation to block Trump from lifting sanctions on Russian companies 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 SchumerOvernight Health Care: Dem chair meets Trump health chief on drug prices | Trump officials sued over new Kentucky Medicaid work rules | Democrats vow to lift ban on federal funds for abortions We can’t tackle climate change if we ignore the main polluter — transportation Hoyer introducing legislation to block Trump from lifting sanctions on Russian companies 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 TrumpVeterans groups demand end to shutdown: 'Get your act together' Brown launches tour in four early nominating states amid 2020 consideration Pence on border wall: Trump won't be ‘deterred’ by Dem ‘obstruction’ MORE and Republicans in 2020 and beyond," Schumer told reporters.
Donald John TrumpVeterans groups demand end to shutdown: 'Get your act together' Brown launches tour in four early nominating states amid 2020 consideration Pence on border wall: Trump won't be ‘deterred’ by Dem ‘obstruction’ 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 HellerTrump’s shifting Cabinet to introduce new faces Trump's most memorable insults and nicknames of 2018 Progressive strategist says changing demographics will help Dems MORE (R-Nev.), Senate Republicans took down three Democrats: Sens. Claire McCaskill
Claire Conner McCaskillThe Hill’s 12:30 Report: Trump AG pick Barr grilled at hearing | Judge rules against census citizenship question | McConnell blocks second House bill to reopen government Ex-Sen. McCaskill joins NBC, MSNBC Some Senate Dems see Ocasio-Cortez as weak spokeswoman for party MORE (Mo.), Joe Donnelly
Joseph (Joe) Simon DonnellyEPA's Wheeler faces grilling over rule rollbacks Some Senate Dems see Ocasio-Cortez as weak spokeswoman for party Senate approves funding bill, preventing partial government shutdown MORE (Ind.) and Heidi Heitkamp
Mary (Heidi) Kathryn HeitkampEPA's Wheeler faces grilling over rule rollbacks 2020 Election: Democrats can’t afford to ignore their Israel problem Hirono will donate salary earned during government shutdown MORE (N.D.). A fourth, Sen. Bill Nelson
Clarence (Bill) William NelsonFlorida lawmaker diagnosed with pancreatic cancer Rick Scott threw party at Florida governor’s mansion after DeSantis and family had moved in: report Restoration of voting rights by felons marks shift in Florida MORE (D-Fla.), is headed toward a recount.
Dean Arthur HellerTrump’s shifting Cabinet to introduce new faces Trump's most memorable insults and nicknames of 2018 Progressive strategist says changing demographics will help Dems MORE (R-Nev.), Senate Republicans took down three Democrats: Sens. Claire McCaskillClaire Conner McCaskillThe Hill’s 12:30 Report: Trump AG pick Barr grilled at hearing | Judge rules against census citizenship question | McConnell blocks second House bill to reopen government Ex-Sen. McCaskill joins NBC, MSNBC Some Senate Dems see Ocasio-Cortez as weak spokeswoman for party MORE (Mo.), Joe DonnellyJoseph (Joe) Simon DonnellyEPA's Wheeler faces grilling over rule rollbacks Some Senate Dems see Ocasio-Cortez as weak spokeswoman for party Senate approves funding bill, preventing partial government shutdown MORE (Ind.) and Heidi HeitkampMary (Heidi) Kathryn HeitkampEPA's Wheeler faces grilling over rule rollbacks 2020 Election: Democrats can’t afford to ignore their Israel problem Hirono will donate salary earned during government shutdown MORE (N.D.). A fourth, Sen. Bill NelsonClarence (Bill) William NelsonFlorida lawmaker diagnosed with pancreatic cancer Rick Scott threw party at Florida governor’s mansion after DeSantis and family had moved in: report Restoration of voting rights by felons marks shift in Florida 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 McSallyOvernight Defense: Trump faces blowback over report he discussed leaving NATO | Pentagon extends mission on border | Senate advances measure bucking Trump on Russia sanctions Senate advances measure bucking Trump on Russia sanctions 116th Congress breaks records for women, minority lawmakers MORE (R-Ariz.) and Kyrsten Sinema (D-Ariz.) are battling to succeed retiring Sen. Jeff Flake
Jeffrey (Jeff) Lane FlakeThe Hill's Morning Report — Trump eyes wall money options as shutdown hits 21 days Poll: Sanders most popular senator, Flake least CBS News in talks to hire Flake: report MORE (R-Ariz.).
Martha Elizabeth McSallyOvernight Defense: Trump faces blowback over report he discussed leaving NATO | Pentagon extends mission on border | Senate advances measure bucking Trump on Russia sanctions Senate advances measure bucking Trump on Russia sanctions 116th Congress breaks records for women, minority lawmakers MORE (R-Ariz.) and Kyrsten Sinema (D-Ariz.) are battling to succeed retiring Sen. Jeff FlakeJeffrey (Jeff) Lane FlakeThe Hill's Morning Report — Trump eyes wall money options as shutdown hits 21 days Poll: Sanders most popular senator, Flake least CBS News in talks to hire Flake: report 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.
