Much of the focus this midterm season has been on the fight for the U.S. House, with redistricting

battles dominating the headlines, but this week also brought new developments in the race

for the U.S. Senate. Our congressional correspondent, Lisa Desjardin, has more.

The upper chamber with direct power over Supreme Court and other nominations is increasingly

in the 2006 conversation. A total of 35 Senate seats will be on the ballot, but just 11 are rated

as remotely competitive by the Cook Political Report with Amy Walter. Republicans in red

are on defense in more of those seats than Democrats, but Democrats need a long shot sweep, a net gain of four seats to take control of the chamber.

For a closer look, we're joined by Jessica Taylor, Senate and Governor's Editor at the Cook Political Report.

Thank you for joining us, Jessica.

Great to be here, Lisa.

Let's start with Maine.

We had some news there this week when the Democrat candidate of choice, Governor Janet Mills, dropped out.

It now looks like progressive upstart candidate, Graham Plotner, who is an oyster farmer

and a retired Marine, will be the one to face off with Susan Collins Republican in the fall.

He has brought a lot of passionate supporters to the table, but he also has controversy, past

comments, blaming sexual assault survivors, and also a tattoo that was also a past Nazi

simple.

He's apologized for those things.

This is all a long buildup to a question.

You had rated this race in Maine as a toss-up.

Is it still a toss-up? Is it still a toss-up?

It is still a toss-up, and I think that's because of the national environment.

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